White Sox get back on track against Yankees
CHICAGO -- Melky Cabrera and Alexei Ramirez both homered and John Danks tied a season high with eight strikeouts as the White Sox defeated the Yankees, 8-2, on Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Field, snapping a six-game losing streak vs. New York and tying the three-game weekend series.
The White Sox, who got an RBI double from Jose Abreu in the first inning and a solo shot from Ramirez in the second, grabbed a 6-1 lead on Cabrera's three-run homer in the four-run fifth. It was the eighth time in the last 10 games that Chicago has scored at least six runs.
"It's been a nice change that we're scoring some runs," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. "We're doing it early and we're doing it late. I think they feel real good about the way they're going now offensively, and you just want to keep that feeling going."
Danks, meanwhile, allowed one run on three hits across 5 2/3 innings for his third win in his last six starts. The White Sox bullpen allowed just two hits and one run to secure the win, which put Chicago in a tie or the second-best record in the American League since the All-Star break.
Making his first start of the season, Bryan Mitchell took the loss after allowing four runs in four-plus innings. Following a 13-run performance on Friday, the Yankees didn't provide Mitchell with much help on Saturday, stranding seven runners on base.
"I think the first couple of innings, it was tough to see, and then it seemed like we started to make some adjustments to [Danks]," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We got far behind. He pitched a good game. He's been pitching well for them. He moves his changeup around to lefties and righties. I thought he did a good job of it."
Video: NYY@CWS: Danks fans eight over 5 2/3 of one-run ball
• Vintage Danks defuses Yankees
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Start them up: Adam Eaton continued to prove his value in the White Sox leadoff spot on Saturday. Eaton finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. He's hit safely in 21 of his last 23 games with 22 runs scored in that span.
"Runs come in bunches; it's contagious," Eaton said. "So if we continue to be contagious to hit and score seven or nine runs, it's going to be a good two months."
Video: NYY@CWS: Eaton on contagious defense, timely hitting
Avi amazes again: White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia added another catch to his highlight reel by robbing Didi Gregorius of a home run in the third inning. With runners on first and third, Garcia tracked back to the wall, where he turned around in time for the leaping grab. A run still scored on the play, but Garcia's catch allowed Danks to work out of the jam.
"The wind helped a little holding it up," Garcia said. "I was trying to follow the ball and get on time to the fence so I could jump a little bit." More >
"Nothing I can do right there. He robbed me," Gregorius said. "He made a good play." More >
Video: NYY@CWS: Garcia goes high above the wall to rob homer
Rookies struggle: Filling in for the injured Michael Pineda, Mitchell struck out five but was chased by Tyler Saladino's run-scoring single before an out was recorded in the fifth inning, having thrown 78 pitches. Moreno, who impressed with 5 1/3 scoreless and hitless innings of relief on Tuesday in Arlington, was unable to follow up on that sharp outing, as Cabrera's homer marred his line -- four runs allowed in three innings.
"I fell behind a lot. It's tough to pitch like that," Mitchell said. "You're going to run into trouble more times than not. I have to do better the next time and get ahead."
Video: NYY@CWS: Mitchell fans Flowers to cap off perfect 4th
QUOTABLE
"It's just one of those nights. He did a good job of mixing pitches, throwing pitches in good locations. He was tough to hit. The third time around, you kind of knew what he was going to do, but you tip your cap." -- Jacoby Ellsbury, on Danks' performance
"Tonight's the best stuff I've had in two years. I would say since the break my stuff's gradually gotten better. It's nice to see it coming back a little bit. I don't know if that had anything to do with my command or if I was just off. But it's nice to be able to reach back and throw a respectable fastball." -- Danks, who had shoulder surgery nearly three years ago to the day
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Abreu extended his hitting streak to 12 games with his RBI double in the first inning. He's now batting .332 with 41 career RBIs in the first inning this season, the best on the White Sox.
Video: NYY@CWS: Abreu's double gives White Sox early lead
WHAT'S NEXT
Yankees: After being limited to 75 pitches in his last outing by what the Yankees termed "arm fatigue," right-hander Ivan Nova is ready to take his turn in the rotation against the White Sox on Sunday at 2:10 p.m. ET. He'll seek his third consecutive victory as he makes his seventh start since returning from Tommy John surgery.
White Sox: Having allowed only 10 runs in July, Jeff Samardzija looks to stay strong in Sunday's series finale. The right-hander has a 2.86 ERA at home this season, compared to his 4.81 ERA on the road. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. CT.
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