Vásquez Earns First Win, Yankees Blank White Sox 3-0 in DH Split
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Follow UsNew York Yankees 3, Chicago White Sox 0
NEW YORK — Randy Vásquez got his first win in the major leagues by pitching two-hit ball into the sixth inning. This was a very impressive showing. To make things even more exciting, Billy McKinney hit a home run for the first time as a Yankee. So, New York beat the Chicago White Sox by a score of 3-0 on Thursday night, and the two games in the doubleheader were split.
Chicago extended their season-high winning streak to five games with a 6-5 victory in the opener. Eloy Jiménez’s seventh-inning go-ahead homer off Michael King, along with Jake Burger’s two-run shot and home runs by Luis Robert Jr. and Yoán Moncada, sealed the win against Yankees starter Luis Severino.
Following the postponement of Wednesday’s game due to hazardous air quality caused by Canadian wildfires, the conditions in the Bronx improved by the time Thursday’s first pitch was thrown. As per IQAir, the air quality was graded at 142 before the doubleheader commenced and dropped to 135 shortly after the nightcap began. Notably, an Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging from 101-150 is deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups.
During the second game, Gleyber Torres made his mark by smashing a two-run home run off Chicago starter Mike Clevinger (3-4) in the fourth inning. In the earlier match, Torres narrowly missed hitting a game-winning three-run homer off Kendall Graveman, with the ball falling just a few feet short of the right-field line.
Following star slugger Aaron Judge’s placement on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained and bruised right big toe, McKinney received a call-up from the minors on Wednesday. The 28-year-old outfielder wasted no time making an impact, as he tripled in the first game and sent a powerful home run soaring into the right-field bleachers during the fifth inning of Game 2, resulting in a 3-0 score.
In his second big league start, Vásquez (1-1) showcased his talent by retiring 15 straight hitters after allowing a single to Jiménez, which put runners on first and second in the first inning. However, he was taken out of the game after hitting Robert in the back, leaving two runners on with two outs in the sixth.
Despite his 1-6 record at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the right-handed pitcher demonstrated his skills by striking out three batters, issuing only one walk, and inducing eight groundball outs.
To conclude the sixth inning, Ron Marinaccio struck out Jiménez and continued to pitch for 2 2/3 innings. Clay Holmes then entered the game and successfully recorded three outs, earning his seventh save of the season.
In the ninth inning, Jiménez left the game, seemingly having experienced a minor injury while running to first base.
In a span of 5 2/3 innings, Clevinger surrendered three runs and six hits. He started the game strong by retiring his first nine hitters. However, his momentum was disrupted when Willie Calhoun doubled, and Gleyber Torres promptly ended his 0-for-20 drought by hitting his 10th home run.
Even though Robert was in an 8-for-40 slump when the game started, he did a great job in the first game, getting three hits. In the seventh inning, he hit an important double that made it possible for Jiménez to hit the next pitch from King (1-2) and hit a two-run homer, giving Chicago a 6-5 lead.
King’s remarkable performance continued as he yielded only his second home run of the year.
In an impressive display of power, the White Sox equaled their season record by hitting four home runs, matching their highest number of homers at Yankee Stadium.
Calhoun made his presence known for the Yankees by launching a home run and contributing three RBIs.
Claiming the victory, Gregory Santos (2-0) delivered a flawless 1-2-3 sixth inning on the mound. Securing his sixth save of the season, Graveman expertly induced Anthony Rizzo to ground into a game-ending double play, effectively sealing the win with two runners on base.
UP NEXT
Friday’s opener of the three-game series will showcase a pitching duel between Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (7-0, 2.82 ERA) and Boston’s right-hander Garrett Whitlock (2-2, 5.61 ERA).
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