CC Sabathia Gets His 250th Win As New York Sweeps Tampa Bay
It took some outings for CC Sabathia who is playing his last season in the major leagues to get his 250th victory but it finally happened during the finale against Tampa Bay in the Bronx where he not only got his 250th win but New York swept Tampa Bay in the process.
As the 14th pitcher in history to record at least 250 victories and 3,000 strikeouts, Sabathia has all but guaranteed a second opportunity to tour those hallowed grounds. The left-hander succeeded in his fourth attempt at the milestone on Wednesday, hurling six strong innings to help the Yankees complete a series sweep of the Rays with a 12-1 victory at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
“It’s crazy to put my name up there with some of those guys that I idolized, some of those names that are enshrined in baseball history," Sabathia said. "To be a part of that, it’s a big deal. It’s fun to have those numbers.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
Gary Sanchez hit a three-run homer as part of a six-run first inning and Gleyber Torres later added his first career grand slam as the Yankees won their fifth consecutive game, swelling their advantage in the American League East to a season-high 3 1/2 games.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
The Yankees have homered in 22 consecutive games, three shy of a franchise record and the longest streak in the Majors this season. Tampa Bay's Blake Snell, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, threw 39 pitches and generated just one out before being sent to the showers. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
"We have a really good offense," DJ LeMahieu said. "It really doesn't matter who's out there; we have a chance to score a lot of runs. Snell didn't look like he had his best stuff. We had really good at-bats and it was good to get on him early."“according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
Sabathia had been winless in three starts since returning from the injured list June 2, and said he fiddled with the grip on his cutter between starts. Sanchez said the pitch made a difference on Wednesday as Sabathia limited Tampa Bay to a run on three hits, striking out seven with three walks. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
That cutter is what Sabathia credits for his late-career success, having borrowed the pitch from former teammate Andy Pettitte -- coincidentally, the most recent pitcher to reach 250 wins, who did it with the Yankees in 2013. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
"I’ve been able to play with some great players like Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera," Sabathia said. "Just thinking about the second half of my career, learning the cutter and where that’s taken me -- if I hadn’t learned that pitch in 2014, I’d probably be out of the game." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
No longer the fireballer of his youth, Sabathia has had to rely on deception and guile, pushing his body toward the finish line despite a degenerative right knee condition and -– more recently –- an offseason heart procedure that delayed his season debut for a couple of weeks.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
"He's a great leader here in the clubhouse," shortstop Didi Gregorius said. "Guys love him. That's who you want to be around all the time. It's unbelievable with everything he went through, and he's still out there fighting for the team. That shows how big his heart is for the game." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
Each of the previous 13 pitchers to reach 250 wins and 3,000 strikeouts are enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, with the exception of Roger Clemens.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
“I think he’s a lock," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of Sabathia. "This is it for him. I think in five years, they come calling.””according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
"His career is a Hall of Fame career," Sanchez added. "The 250 wins represent that, the 3,000 strikeouts that he has. A great career overall." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
Speaking in the Yankee Stadium press conference room with his wife, Amber, and their four children seated in the front row, the former Indians' and Brewers' ace reflected upon what many view as an inevitable date with history. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
"Just to have somebody mention your career as being a Hall of Fame career means a lot," Sabathia said. "I’ve been blessed to have played with some great teams, been around some great organizations and great players. A lot of it just rubbed off.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
Sabathia said it is particularly meaningful to be listed alongside fellow African-American hurlers Bob Gibson and Fergie Jenkins in the select group.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
“That means a lot, being an African-American pitcher, being from the inner city and wanting this game to grow back again in the inner city," Sabathia said. "Having the chance to put up these numbers and have some of these kids know that I’m from where they’re from. I love this game of baseball. Hopefully it opens doors to some kids to open their eyes to start playing.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
LeMahieu laced a two-run single that capped scoring in the big first inning –- LeMahieu's second hit of the frame -- and Torres’ slam came as the Yankees put six more runs on the board in the seventh. The Yanks have won seven of nine meetings with the second-place Rays this season, and 22 of 29 games against American League East opponents.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
“I think that’s the biggest thing, coming out today and getting that sweep," Sabathia said. "Getting that win, making a statement that we’re a pretty good team. We're going to keep going.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250
With the win, New York improves to 46-27 on the regular season and maintains their lead in the American League East.
Meanwhile Tampa Bay had yet another setback where they not only lost the finale but the series as well while their starting pitcher Blake Snell was pulled out of the game really early. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
- Blake Snell has struggled in 2019, but his start during the Rays’ 12-1 loss at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday was among the worst of his career. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
Snell allowed six runs against the Yankees during the series finale and retired just one hitter, marking the shortest start of his career. Through 88 career starts, Wednesday was the first time Snell was unable to get through the first inning.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
Per Stats LLC, Snell is the first reigning Cy Young Award winner in MLB history to have a start during which he allowed six or more earned runs and recorded no more than one out. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
“Just a frustrating outing,” Snell said. “I’ve got to figure it out. I think the most frustrating thing is going only 1/3 of an inning and putting all that pressure on the bullpen and making those guys have to come out and really save my [explicit]. I’m upset with that.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
The outing began with a DJ LeMahieu dribbler down the third-base line for an infield single. That was followed by a walk to Luke Voit after Snell was ahead 0-2 in the count, and then Gary Sanchez connected on the first big blow with a three-run homer to make it 3-0 Yankees. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
The command issues continued for Snell after the home run. He walked Edwin Encarnacion, and after a mound visit, registered the only out of his start on Aaron Hicks' a grounder to shortstop. Snell then walked Gleyber Torres and Cameron Maybin to load the bases. After the walk to Maybin -- his fourth of the game -- Rays manager Kevin Cash came out to end Snell’s outing.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
“I’d like to see him attack better with strikes,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “But we are certainly confident in Blake that he can kind of get it right, and that he can get us going and be that guy that was so big for us last year and for the bulk of this year.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
Colin Poche relieved Snell, but the Yankees continued their offensive attack, which was capped by a LeMahieu two-run single that pushed New York's lead to 6-0 in the first inning. All runs were charged to Snell, whose ERA went from 3.70 to 4.40. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
“We have a really good offense,” LeMahieu said. “It really doesn’t really matter who’s out there; we have a chance to score a lot of runs. Snell didn’t look like he had his best stuff. We had really good at-bats, and it was good to get on him early.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
Before Wednesday’s start, Snell said he wanted to do a better job of mixing his pitches and including his fastball more. Snell entered Wednesday using his fastball just 41.2 percent of time, drastically lower than his 51.5-percent clip from a season ago during which he won the AL Cy Young Award. The left-hander threw 15 fastballs, 12 changeups and 12 curveballs on Wednesday and had a tough time commanding each of them. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
Snell said he was “frustrated” with the fact that he didn’t attack more with his fastball on Wednesday, but added that he wouldn't second-guess himself and his pitch selection, despite some questions regarding the lack of use of his fastball.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
“It’s what I feel comfortable with at the time,” Snell said. “I’ve always trusted my instincts, trusted my pitching. I’m not going to stop because of what people say. It’s just not going to happen. It’s going to be what I think and want to do. It’s been very successful through my whole career.””according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
Snell’s issues on Wednesday added to a long list of struggles the Rays faced during the three-game sweep against the Yankees. New York outscored Tampa Bay 21-4 during the set and outplayed the Rays in just about every facet of the game. The Rays came into the series just half a game behind the Yankees in the AL East but have now fallen 3 1/2 games behind.
With the sweep, Tampa Bay dropped to 2-8 in its past 10 games. The Yankees travel to Tropicana Field for a four-game rematch with the Rays starting July 4. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
“We have not played good baseball in the last 10 days,” Cash said. “We gotta fix it. We’ve been checked up here over 10 days, and we certainly have the guys that have the ability to correct some things and fix some things. We’ll lean on Charlie [Morton on Thursday], and then we’ll move on to the next guy.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/blake-snell-pulled-after-1-3-inning-vs-yankees
With the loss, Tampa Bay drops to 43-31 on the regular season and is now 3.5 games back of New York in the American League East.
New York will next open up a four game series against Houston in the Bronx that is supposed to start Thursday night but like it has throughout the week mother nature might be the deciding factor if they get the opening game of their four game series in or not.