New York Earns Split With Blowout Of Chicago

In the finale of their four game series New York was able to earn a split with Chicago with their blowout win.

The offense, which is built on power, manufactured 10 runs on 12 hits with just one run coming via the long ball. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

The Yanks’ five-run third inning ignited the team’s second straight offensive onslaught. RBI singles by Brett Gardner, Gio Urshela and Austin Romine gave New York a 5-0 lead on its way to its second big offensive output in as many games.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Nos. 4-5-6 hitters Clint Frazier, Gardner and Urshela combined for five hits with four runs scored and five RBIs in the game. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Frazier became the first roster casualty, as the team optioned him to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre after the game to create a spot for Encarnacion on the 25-man roster. More moves are likely coming soon. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

“It’s a tough pill to swallow. It’s never fun, especially with the way I thought I contributed to the team this year,” Frazier said after the game. “Guess I’m facing reality right now.”

Frazier has played well this season with 11 homers and an .843 OPS in 53 games for the Yankees and has been one of the team’s most consistent bats while Stanton and Judge have been on the shelf.

Gardner, who also figures to lose at-bats in the coming days, understands the situation he and the team find themselves in and has a message for his young teammate. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

“That kind of thing can be tough,” Gardner said of Frazier’s demotion. “Sometimes when decisions are made, you don’t always agree with them. You just gotta keep your head down and keep moving forward. He’s a guy that has a ton of talent. He’s gonna play this game for a long time. He’s been a big part of why we’re in first place [in the division] and he’s going to continue to do that. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

“We have a lot of talented guys in the room which will do nothing but make our team stronger so you never know what can happen. Nobody probably expected me to play center field 40 out of the first 45 days of the season. You gotta stay ready. Anytime you can add somebody as good as Edwin, he’s a guy who’s going to make us better. We’re looking forward to having him on board. How that affects me isn’t something I’m concerned about right now.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has already begun to make moves ahead of the Trade Deadline, which is July 31. Frazier’s demotion could make him a prime candidate to be moved for starting pitching help, especially after free agent Dallas Keuchel signed with the Braves. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

When asked about the potential of being dealt, the young Frazier gave a veteran response. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

“I’ve been traded once, who knows? I can’t control that. I just gotta play as good as I can to put myself in a good position.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Pitching delivers after rough beginning

The Yankees four-man rotation needed some deep starts after an underwhelming seven days -- especially after back-to-back disappointing starts from J.A. Happ and CC Sabathia on the front end of the set against the White Sox -- then stepped up in a big way on the back end. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Following an excellent tandem start by Chad Green and Nestor Cortes in Saturday’s win, James Paxton returned to form after a speed bump against the Mets in his previous start, keeping hitters off balance with his fastball and mix of breaking stuff. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

The curveball made the difference in the game and while Paxton only threw 12 curveballs he made them count, getting strikes on seven of them with only one being put in play. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

“It was a good two-strike pitch for me today. Even before two strikes, I was able to get some swings and misses on it,” Paxton said of his curves. “I was just working on some mechanical stuff this week and executing that and finding my comfortable spot on the mound.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

While it will officially count as one quality start, unofficially the Yankees have had two quality starts in a row as Paxton followed the performance by Green and Cortes Jr. during Saturday’s victory. New York had been without a quality start since June 6. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

“Thought he got stronger as the game unfolded, but a big effort by him for us” Yankees manager Boone said. “Today, I thought [there were] a lot of innings where there were a couple of soft contacts extending innings that increased his pitch count to go up, otherwise I think gets really deep in that game.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Homers for everyone

There’s been a huge spike in homers around the game in 2019 and the Yankees have seen the effects of it firsthand. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Cameron Maybin homered for the second consecutive day during Sunday’s win. The solo home run in the seventh inning pushed the Yankees’ home run streak to 19 games in a row, tying the Astros for the second-longest streak this season (Seattle; 20 games). “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

New York is now six games shy of breaking the club record of 25 straight games with a home run, set in 1941. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

On the flip side of things, the Yankees’ pitching staff has given up its fair share of homers lately as well. With Paxton surrendering a solo shot to José Abreu in the first inning, New York starters have now allowed a home run in 15 consecutive games. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

While New York earned a split in the finale Chicago meanwhile had a setback.

Yoán Moncada returned to the lineup -- playing third and hitting sixth -- after not playing since Monday due to a mid-back strain. He walked in his first at-bat in the second and struck out in the fourth but was noticeably wincing on certain swings during both trips to the plate. “according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

José Rondón replaced Moncada at third in the top of the fifth, with Moncada leaving due to upper back tightness according to the club. Although back injuries can be tricky and painfully ongoing, White Sox manager Rick Renteria believes Moncada will be back in action during the team’s next game, Tuesday night against the Cubs. “according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

“He's ready to get through the ball, it's just the finish. He's feeling a little something there. You can't replicate it in any drill work. We've tried to do it,” Renteria said. “Everything he did was good. All the work he did was good.”according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

“Everything we tried to do to replicate it, it wasn't existent until you get into the game, then you know. That's why I think it was a good ... I don't know if you want to call it a test, but it was a test. We wanted to see where he was. Didn't make any sense to continue to push him. Get him ready and calm it down and get him ready for the series against the North Siders.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

Designated hitter and catcher Welington Castillo left with lower back tightness in the fourth, replaced by pinch-hitter Yonder Alonso. Castillo will be re-evaluated Monday, and a trip to the injured list could be possible.”according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

McCann homers in second straight game

When 29-year-old veteran catcher James McCann joined the team as a free agent, he wasn’t exactly considered a core piece amongst this young crew. But McCann has proven to be one of the team’s most valuable players through 70 games and homered Sunday in front of his wife, Jessica, and twin 18-month-old sons, Christian and Kane. “according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

They see a Sox logo and it’s ‘Dada, dada, dada.’ They love baseball,” said McCann of his sons. “They see it on TV even if I’m sitting there with them, they think dada is playing. It’s a lot of fun. They are starting to hit the ball off the tee and their favorite toy is bats and balls.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

McCann’s home run in the 8th inning on Sunday was his sixth in 48 games this season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

Abreu finishes 3-for-4

José Abreu's hit total in the loss included his 17th home run of the season, in the first inning off Yankees starter James Paxton. Abreu now has 163 career home runs, putting him two away from surpassing Jermaine Dye and claiming sole possession of seventh place on the franchise’s all-time list. He is nine away from passing Robin Ventura for sixth and is hitting .524 (11-for-21) over his last five games.”according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

Odrisamer Despaigne was touched up for seven runs over 4 1/3 innings in the loss, including a five-run Yankees third. The 32-year-old doesn’t factor hugely into the White Sox long term rebuild so his performance isn’t as much of a concern when looking at the overall state of the rebuild. “according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

“It’s not the way we wanted to finish today,” McCann said. “But overall you have to be happy with taking a season series from a team that is one of the best in baseball.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

The White Sox reportedly are calling up Zack Collins, a former First Round Draft pick and the No. 11 White Sox prospect per MLB Pipeline. “according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

In the overall scheme of things, this series and the 3-3 homestand would not be considered a negative for the White Sox. Abreu is heating up, Collins could provide another youthful boost for fans to enjoy and a season-series win against the Yankees is nothing to scoff at.”according to https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/yoan-moncada-welington-castillo-exit-with-back-tightness

With the win New York who is a member of the American League East improves to 43-27 on the season while Chicago who is a member of the American League Central drops to 34-36 on the season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings

New York will next return to the Bronx to host Tampa Bay starting Monday for a three game series.