New York Splits The Series With Chicago As Dustin Fowler Ruptures Patellar Tendon

Nothing seemed to be going right for New York Thursday as they split the series with Chicago starting with fighting mother nature before the game even got started and then Dustin Fowler who was making his debut got injured.

James Shields earned his first victory since returning from his first career stint on the disabled list as the White Sox picked up a series split with a 4-3 win over the Yankees at Guaranteed Rate Field on Thursday night. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239640648/shields-white-sox-beat-yankees-on-long-night/

After both sides sat through a two-hour, 50-minute rain delay that pushed the game start time to 10 p.m. CT, Shields went to work on his first victory since his season debut on April 6. The Yankees broke through first, as White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu's attempt to turn a double play hit off Aaron Judge's shoulder and allowed Brett Gardner to score in the top of the first. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239640648/shields-white-sox-beat-yankees-on-long-night/

The game took a cruel turn in the bottom of the inning when Yankees outfield prospect Dustin Fowler -- making his Major League debut -- was carted off after injuring his right knee chasing a foul ball in right field. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239640648/shields-white-sox-beat-yankees-on-long-night/

Shields limited the damage to a Ronald Torreyes RBI single and a RBI groundout over a season-high 6 1/3 innings on 81 pitches. Shields was on the hook for three runs (two earned), as the 2016 MLB home runs allowed leader keep his opponent away from the long ball for the first time this season. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239640648/shields-white-sox-beat-yankees-on-long-night/

James Shields had this to say about his outing. "I felt good, for the most part," Shields said. "I was a little inconsistent throughout the game but made pitches when I needed to. The outfield did a phenomenal job, and the infield as well, of having my back." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239640648/shields-white-sox-beat-yankees-on-long-night/

Dan Jennings, Anthony Swarzak, and David Robertson combined for a scoreless 2 2/3 innings of relief for the White Sox, with Robertson retiring Judge on a strikeout with a runner on to end the game. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239640648/shields-white-sox-beat-yankees-on-long-night/

Obviously, he finished him off," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said of Robertson's punchout. "He did a nice job attacking the strike zone, got ahead. Judge put a couple good swings on him, too, fouled a couple pitches straight back and he was able to finish him." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239640648/shields-white-sox-beat-yankees-on-long-night/

The White Sox had lost eight of their last 10 games, with the series finale win moving Chicago to 2-5 amid a 10-game homestand. The Yankees are 3-8 over their past 11 road games. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239640648/shields-white-sox-beat-yankees-on-long-night/

Our guys continue to give us a chance to win. I love it," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "They continue to fight and I applaud them for their efforts because we've been through a lot in the last 10 days or so. Today is probably one of the tougher nights, what we witnessed tonight, but they keep fighting.""according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239640648/shields-white-sox-beat-yankees-on-long-night/

Yankees right-hander Luis Cessa surrendered four runs (two earned) in his third start of the season. He allowed the unearned runs in the second inning, then gave up the big hit as Willy Garcia -- making his first start since June 18 -- laced a two-run double to give the White Sox a two-run lead. Cessa worked 4 2/3 innings on 89 pitches. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239640648/shields-white-sox-beat-yankees-on-long-night/

With the loss, New York dropped to 42-35 and is now one game back of their American League East rival Boston. 

As for the injury to Dustin Fowler in his debut, it ended in cruelly abrupt fashion on Thursday night as the Yankees outfielder sustained an open rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee after crashing into a wall, requiring immediate season-ending surgery. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

Playing right field in a game the White Sox won, Fowler ran at full speed when Jose Abreu sliced a two-out drive down the right-field line in the bottom of the first inning. The ball landed in the seats, but Fowler violently slammed into a low fence and railing, with the 22-year-old nearly flipping over the railing into the crowd. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

Fowler hobbled and hopped briefly before attempting to put weight on his right leg when he crumpled to the warning track. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

"It's one of the worst things I've seen on a baseball field," Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner said. "I think back with Derek [Jeter] and his ankle and Mariano [Rivera] and his knee. It's hard to compare a kid that hasn't been in the big leagues to one of those two guys. I can't imagine a worse scenario for him. It's heartbreaking." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

Yankees manager Joe Girardi called for the cart that transported Fowler off the field, covering his eyes at one point. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

"I was in tears, actually," Girardi said. "I'm still in disbelief. I'm in tears for the kid. I know he'll fight and get back here, but he's out for a while and he has to go through a long, grueling rehab. It just doesn't seem fair." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

The Yankees announced that Fowler was scheduled for surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. White Sox team physician Charles A. Bush-Joseph performed the procedure. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

"Our hearts are with him," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "That's not a good feeling, to see somebody go down on anybody's club." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

Replaced in right field by Rob Refsnyder, Fowler did not have a chance to bat in his debut. His spot was due up at the top of the next inning. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

"It just makes you sick," Aaron Judge said. "It's your debut, you're about to lead off the next inning and something like that happens. It's tough. Especially all the hard work he's done, what he's been through, to finally get a shot up here and get the call. It's tough." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

Girardi said the timetable for recovery will be at least six months, and wondered if the injury could have been avoided. Girardi said Fowler appeared to slam into an unpadded metal box adjacent to the low railing. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

"I am not blaming the White Sox, but that is something that needs to be inspected and it should have been padded," Girardi said. "If the kid hits the electrical box, he still might be hurt, but my guess is he doesn't rupture his patellar tendon." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

Ranked as the Yankees' No. 8 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, Fowler was batting .293/.329/.542 in 70 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, with 19 doubles, eight triples, 13 homers and 43 RBIs, stealing 13 bases in 18 attempts. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

Earlier in the day, Fowler flew in from Syracuse and battled traffic from O'Hare International Airport, arriving about 2 1/2 hours before the game's scheduled start time. The first pitch was delayed two hours and 50 minutes by a band of heavy thunderstorms. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

This is what the young player Dustin Fowler had to say about his debut "I'm obviously overwhelmed right now; very excited," Fowler said after finding his locker in the visitor's clubhouse. "Glad to be here. It was always nice to be in Spring Training, so I know a lot of familiar faces. Just overwhelmed right now; ready to get comfy here."

The Caldwell, Ga., native said his parents could not make it to Chicago on short notice, but they had planned to be in Houston on Friday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

Fowler had played 14 games in right field at Triple-A this season, seeing most of his action in center (40 games). He also played 12 games in left, earning selection to represent the International League in the upcoming Triple-A All-Star Game." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

Brett Gardner said that he and his teammates tried to console Fowler as best they could while they waited for the medical cart. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

"He works his [tail] off and he's a strong kid, and he's got a good head on his shoulders," Gardner said. "I have no doubt that he'll come back from it. It might just take a little while. He's a damn good player and continues to improve. I was looking forward to getting a chance to play with him." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239610036/dustin-fowler-injured-in-first-inning-of-debut/

New York will return to action Friday as they head to Texas for a three -game set with Houston. Right -hander Michael Pineda will get the start for New York. He has a record of 7-4 with a 4.12 earn run average. He will take on Houston right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. who has a record of 7-1 with a 2.53 earn run average. McCullers one run in five innings during his last start against the Mariners, his first start since returning from the disabled list.  The right -hander tossed six scoreless innings against the Yankees in New York on May 12th. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/06/30/491301#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491301

First pitch is set for 8:10 pm. The game will be televised on Yes and Major League Baseball Network. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/06/30/491301#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491301