White Sox Rally To Beat Yankees 4-3
NEW YORK (AP)—Dayan Viciedo hit a three-run homer off David Robertson in the ninth inning after a throwing error, and the Chicago White Sox rallied past the New York Yankees 4-3 Thursday night.
Reliever Clay Rapada's wild toss to second base on a potential double-play ball set up the AL Central-leading White Sox.
With closer Rafael Soriano not available after pitching the past two games, the Yankees had their five-game winning streak end.
Derek Jeter almost saved the Yankees in the ninth. But his bid for a two-out, two-run homer was caught by right fielder Alex Rios with his back against the wall.
Other than Alejandro De Aza, who homered and had four hits, the White Sox were unable to muster much against the Yankees' de facto ace Ivan Nova into the eighth. Minus Soriano, Chicago improved to 22-14 on the road, third best in the American League.
Mark Teixeira homered off Hector Santiago (2-1) with two outs in the eighth to make it 3-1.
Rios led off the ninth with a single against Cody Eppley, and Rapada entered. A.J. Pierzynski bunted back to the mound and Rapada's poor throw put runners at first and third. Robertson (0-2) relieved and Viciedo drove a 1-0 pitch into the left-field stands.
Addison Reed gave up a leadoff single to Dewayne Wise in the New York ninth. Eric Chavez then hit a fly to left and Wise was caught way off first base, but Viciedo's throw to first was offline for a possible double play. After pinch hitter Andruw Jones struck out looking, Jeter flied out deep and Reed had his 11th save.
Jeter had singled in the seventh to tie fellow shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. for 13th place on the career list with 3,184.
De Aza homered off the facing of the suite level in right field for the game's first run with two outs in the fifth. That was the lone run against Nova, who gave his manager reason to be hopeful about the Yankees' depleted rotation with an ace-like outing.
The Yankees took the lead right back against rookie Dylan Axelrod in the bottom half when Curtis Granderson singled with two outs and Alex Rodriguez followed with a drive to left-center. De Aza made a long run to track down the ball, but it hit off his glove as he neared the wall, falling for an RBI double.
Robinson Cano then gave the Yankees the lead with a double to right-center.
A day after receiving a double whammy of devastating injuries to the rotation, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he's not going to give the remaining three starters any sort of pep talk — unless he has to. In the meantime, CC Sabathia is on the disabled list with a groin strain and Andy Pettitte is out with a broken lower left leg.
Nova gave up six hits, three walks and a wild pitch, leaving with De Aza on second and one out in the eighth. The crowd of 44,041 gave him a loud ovation when he strolled off the field.
Boone Logan relieved and got Adam Dunn to fly out, advancing De Aza to third. Eppley relieved and struck out Paul Konerko with a knee-buckling breaking pitch.
Axelrod was making his third start in place of the injured Phil Humber and had his longest outing of the year. He allowed six hits and two runs in seven innings.
Despite wearing a different uniform, Kevin Youkilis was booed as if he still played for Boston. Acquired over the weekend, he went 0 for 4 for the White Sox.
NOTES: The White Sox take infield practice after BP before the first game of every series, one of the changes made by new manager Robin Ventura this year. On Thursday, however, Chicago took a unique approach to the drills — they didn't use a ball. The players mimed catching the ball and whipping it around the infield, even turning double plays. Several players left the field with a smile. ... The Yankees purchased the contract of RHP Adam Warren from Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes/Barre and he'll start Friday in place of Sabathia. ... The White Sox purchased the contract of left-hander Leyson Septimo from Triple-A Charlotte and have designated reliever Will Ohman for assignment.
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