Yankees Rally in 8th Past White Sox, Girardi Wants Mo to Reconsider Retirement
Eduardo Nunez’ helmet comes flying off every time he runs the bases. Fortunately for the New York Yankees, he doesn’t often lose his head. Nunez drove in the game-winning runs on a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the eight inning to beat the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
The young shortstop’s second double of the night capped a come-from-behind 6-4 victory and a five-run inning. The Yankees trailed 4-1 entering the eighth and had been shut down all night by a supreme performance by pitching ace Chris Sale.
But a classic Bronx rally tied the score and set the stage for Nunez to be the hero.
The former everyday shortstop and captain, Derek Jeter, started it off with a one-out single to center. Robinson Cano doubled to deep left, sending Jeter to third and finally knocking Sale out of the ballgame (7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 6 SO).
Right-hander Nate Jones came out of the Chicago bullpen to face Alfonso Soriano, the next batter. The latter continued his hot hitting, sending a scorching single up the middle that scored Jeter and Cano and cut the deficit to 4-3. After A-Rod singled and moved Soriano to third, Curtis Granderson approached the batter’s box to pinch hit for Vernon Wells.
Chicago skipper Robin Ventura responded by bringing in lefty Donnie Veal, but Granderson roped a single through the box to send home the game-tying run.
The eighth inning was undoubtedly the most exciting for the Bombers in a long time.
The win is their fourth out of five played thus far on a 10-game home stand that welcomes both the Red Sox and Orioles for respective four-game sets beginning Thursday night.
Hiroki Kuroda pitched decently, allowing one run in the first inning, then cruising until the fifth, where he would give up two more. He went 6.1 innings and surrendered a total of four earned runs on seven hits.
The vintage win wouldn’t have been complete without “Enter Sandman” blaring from the loudspeakers.
Mariano Rivera closed it out in one-two-three fashion in the top of the ninth. It was his 40th save of the season and 647th of his career.
In his post-game press conference, manager Joe Girardi announced that David Huff—the previous game’s star out of the bullpen—will be Saturday afternoon’s starter against the first-place Red Sox (per ESPN). The struggling Phil Hughes will make his way out to the bullpen in the meantime.
Huff has allowed just one earned run in his last 15 innings. The decision is proof that Girardi will reward great pitching at a pivotal moment in the playoff push, even if it means replacing the experience of a starter like Hughes.
The Yankees need all the help they can get as they look to earn a wild-card spot. As the first week of September continues, finding the perfect pieces to the pitching puzzle takes precedence over anything—especially since the newly acquired bats in the lineup have added a much-needed pop in New York.
With the Orioles’ loss to the Indians and the Red Sox’ victory over the Tigers, the Yankees overtake Baltimore for sole possession of third place in the AL East. The Rays beat the Angels to hold a two-and-a-half game lead over the Yankees for the second wild-card position.