CC Sabathia A Strikeout Machine As His Win Streak Is Extended To Three
CC Sabathia's win streak was extended to three as New York topped Oakland Saturday.
The veteran left -hander struck out a season-high nine strikeouts.
Sabathia exited to a warm ovation in the seventh inning after permitting a one-out double to No. 9 hitter Adam Rosales, with manager Joe Girardi calling upon Adam Warren. New York's bullpen has been heavily worked in the absence of closer Aroldis Chapman, but Warren pinned the potential tying run on base, inducing pinch-hitter Matt Joyce to ground out and striking out Mark Canha swinging. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/232740356/cc-sabathia-strikes-out-9-as-yankees-top-as/
CC Sabathia had this to say about his outing "Throwing offspeed pitches for strikes was a little rough in that first inning, but I was able to settle in," Sabathia said. "I think [the key was] just getting ahead. We got ahead pretty early and I was able to put guys away. Early in the count, we threw some strikes, and that helped us out a lot."
As for the offense, though CC Sabathia was staked to a quick lead by Starlin Castro's first-inning sacrifice fly, Oakland's Jharel Cotton New York hitless until there were two outs in the sixth when Holliday crushed a two-run homer to left following a walk to Gary Sanchez. Cotton, pitching without his signature changeup much of the day, took the loss after being promoted from Triple-A Nashville. the offense veteran designated hitter Mat Holiday's home run broke up a no -hit bid in the sixth inning while leading New York to a 3-2 win over Oakland. New York starters have compiled a 1.56 ERA in five starts during this homestand, a trend that Sabathia continued by picking up his third straight victory. The veteran left-hander recovered from a 25-pitch first inning to blank Oakland into the sixth, with Ryon Healy's RBI double shattering the shutout. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/232740356/cc-sabathia-strikes-out-9-as-yankees-top-as/
"It could have been a 1-2-3 inning," Cotton said. "I got the first two guys out, I was trying to get the last guy out. I didn't want to walk that guy. You don't want to put guys on base on free passes, and I did that, and it came back to haunt me. I was trying to throw a cutter away off the plate, and I yanked it down and it just stayed middle."
As for the Oakland offense, Josh Phegley hit a seventh-inning homer off Sabathia, who scattered six hits with three walks in a 6 1/3 innings effort. Sabathia has won three straight starts for the first time since April 2013.Dellin Betances retired all five batters he faced to record his fifth save in as many opportunities. "according to tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/232740356/cc-sabathia-strikes-out-9-as-yankees-top-as/
Although there were some extracurricular activities by Oakland as their second baseman Jed Lowrie was tossed in the eighth inning by home-plate umpire Will Little, having taken exception to the strike zone after being rung up a third time. It didn't take long before Melvin got the boot, too. Melvin emerged from the dugout after Plouffe was called out on strikes and exchanged words with Little before getting ejected. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/232740356/cc-sabathia-strikes-out-9-as-yankees-top-as/
New York improved to 28-18 while Oakland drops to 22-25 on the season. New York and Oakland will finish up their series today at Yankee Stadium as right -hander Michael Pineda gets the ball for New York. He has a record of 5-2 with a 3.35 earn run average. He has completed at least six innings in each of his last four starts while winning two straight against Kansas City. His last time out Michael Pineda held Kansas City to two runs on six hits while pitching 6/1/3 innings walking just one and striking out six. He will go up against Oakland right -hander Andrew Triggs who has a record of 5-3 with a 2.77 earn run average. He has posted a 3.97 earn run average in four of his starts in May after recording a 1.84 earn run average in five April outings. In his most recent start against Boston, he matched a season high by giving up six runs in 5/1/3 innings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/athletics-vs-yankees/2017/05/28/490853#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490853