This game started much like every other recent outing by Luis Severino. He struggled early and allowed the White Sox to take a quick lead. The good news is that he (mostly) settled down after that. The only other run he surrendered was a solo shot. It still wasn’t a typical Sevy start, but he did retire 11 batters in a row. Even better, the Yankees won the game and swept the series.
After striking out Yoan Moncada to start the frame, Severino gave up three consecutive hits to put Chicago up 2-0. Luckily, that lead didn’t last long. The Yankees jumped all over Lucas Giolito in the second. Gleyber Torres got things going with a leadoff walk, then Neil Walker, Austin Romine, and Shane Robinson hit back-to-back-to-back singles to tie the game. After Brett Gardner was plunked on the foot to load the bases, Giancarlo Stanton jacked a grand slam just over the right field wall.
Big Beef Slamwich. pic.twitter.com/4expIzJd8K
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 9, 2018
Severino got back to work with a four-run lead, and tossed three scoreless innings before the White Sox added a run thanks to a leadoff homer off the bat of Tim Anderson. That would be Chicago’s third and final run of the game. Sevy came back out for the seventh and gave up a leadoff double, but struck Adam Engel out swinging on a 98 MPH fastball to end the inning. That was an encouraging sign. He finished the night with eight strikeouts and didn’t issue a walk. He may not be fixed, but this outing appeared to be a step in the right direction.
The Yankees tacked on another run after Aaron Hicks homered to start off the fifth, and that was it for the offense. As for the bullpen, both Chad Green and Jonathan Holder pitched scoreless innings to close out the game. Yankees win, 7-3.
Last weekend’s sweep against the Red Sox still stings, but the Yankees picked themselves up in Chicago. Hopefully this momentum will carry over into the homestand that they start against Texas tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 ET with J.A. Happ set to take on Ariel Jurado.