Sabathia gives up costly homers, Yanks lose 5-2 to White Sox
NEW YORK (AP) — CC Sabathia gave up two costly homers in the seventh inning and prized rookie Carlos Rodon pitched out of trouble all night as the Chicago White Sox damaged New York's playoff drive Friday with a 5-2 victory over the Yankees.
Mike Olt hit a tiebreaking shot off Sabathia that soared into the second deck in left field. One out later, No. 9 batter Gordon Beckham made it 4-2 with his sixth home run of the season.
The Yankees fell four games behind first-place Toronto in the AL East after the Blue Jays beat Tampa Bay. New York still has a firm hold on the league's top wild-card spot.
New York grounded into four double plays, which helped Rodon (9-6) overcome five walks and two hit batters in winning his third consecutive start. The left-hander bounced back nicely from a wretched outing at home against the Yankees on July 31, when he yielded eight runs and eight hits in three innings.
"You sit there and you look at a kid like him, really you want to give him certain experiences in his first year," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "I think it's good for him to come back in here and get another shot at them and see where he's at, too, and I think you get a better understanding of how this year has evolved when you face a group like this for the second time."
Pitching with a brace on his arthritic right knee, Sabathia (5-10) has been more effective since returning from the disabled list Sept. 9. He fell behind early but kept the Yankees close until they tied it on a two-run single by Didi Gregorius in the fourth.
New York loaded the bases against Rodon, who got Chase Headley to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Rookie right fielder Trayce Thompson aided Rodon earlier in the inning when he robbed Greg Bird of extra bases with an athletic running catch.
With two on against Rodon in the sixth, speedy Brett Gardner grounded into an inning-ending double play.
The 22-year-old Rodon, who had a 1.66 ERA in his previous seven starts, won for the fifth time in seven decisions. Drafted third overall last year out of North Carolina State, he maintained his poise through six innings during his first appearance at Yankee Stadium.
Zach Duke tossed 1 1-3 hitless innings, and ex-Yankees closer David Robertson got three straight outs for his 32nd save in 39 chances. It was Robertson's first outing against New York since signing a $46 million, four-year contract with the White Sox in December.
Adam Eaton added an RBI single in the ninth for the White Sox off Chasen Shreve.
Alexei Ramirez hit an RBI double off Sabathia in the second, and Avisail Garcia added a run-scoring single in the third.
Chicago stopped its three-game skid and a nine-game losing streak at Yankee Stadium with its first victory in the Bronx since June 29, 2012.
Sabathia dropped to 19-5 in 34 starts versus the White Sox. He had been 5-0 against them with the Yankees, but had not faced Chicago since September 2013.
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: 2B Micah Johnson was out of the lineup for the fourth consecutive day. He's been nursing some nagging knee discomfort, Ventura said. ... Olt (right shoulder) was back at third base after sitting out Thursday. ... Ace lefty Chris Sale will get one more start next Thursday or Friday and rookie RHP Frankie Montas probably will make one more as well, Ventura said.
Yankees: CF Jacoby Ellsbury was rested against the left-hander and will return to the lineup Saturday, manager Joe Girardi said. ... Gardner was checked by a trainer after getting hit with a pitch on the left forearm. He stayed in the game. ... RHP Masahiro Tanaka threw 31 pitches in a bullpen session and said he thinks he can return to the rotation this season despite a strained right hamstring. Girardi said he'd like to slot in Tanaka against Boston early next week, but the team will wait to see how the pitcher feels Saturday before making a decision.
UP NEXT
White Sox: LHP John Danks (7-13) gets the ball Saturday. He is 3-3 with a 5.19 ERA against the Yankees.
Yankees: RHP Adam Warren (6-7) is 3-1 with a 2.21 ERA in six starts at home this season.