NEW YORK — All good things must come to an end.
Remarkably, the Yankees had been playing their best baseball of the season without three of their best players entering Friday, beginning their 10-game homestand with five wins in seven games. Not only did their hot streak come to an abrupt end, they lost yet another key player due to injury.
Luis Severino left his start after just 2 2/3 innings, responsible for all seven runs in the Yankees’ 7-1 loss, with right elbow soreness. From there, the game was over.
Chris Sale was Chris Sale, going the distance and allowing just a run on six hits. He toyed with the Yankees’ lineup — something that not many pitchers had been able to do of late.
After the game, the Yankees announced that Severino would go on the 15-day DL with a “mile right triceps strain,” and won’t pick up a baseball for five-to-seven days.
The Play: Jose Abreu’s two-run single to center (+.157 WPA)
This, ultimately, put the game out of hand for good. Abreu got a hanger right over the plate, and kept the second inning alive with a two-out single.
Top Performers
Yankees: Nick Goody (3 1/3 IP, H, 3 K)
White Sox: Adam Eaton (3-for-4, 2B, R, 2 RBIs)
Notes
– Nick Goody was probably the MVP of this game for the Yankees. After Severino’s injury in the third left the Yankees in a tough spot without a long reliever, Goody managed to make it through 3 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit on 37 pitches. He might be sent down to Scranton, but the Yankees have to appreciate that effort.
– The rest of the bullpen (Chasen Shreve, Kirby Yates) was fine, holding the White Sox scoreless for the remainder of the game.
– Gary Sanchez started this game, and was pretty baffled by Chris Sale. He did make some pretty solid contact in the seventh, lining out to left. Things won’t get easier against Jose Quintana on Saturday.
– Aaron Hicks took another questionable route to a fly ball in the third, resulting in an Adam Eaton two-run double.
The Quote
“I didn’t notice. He’s kind of a bulldog out there, so he’s not going to give in or say that he wants to come out. He’s going to keep pitching when he wants to pitch.” – Austin Romine, on Luis Severino’s injury
The Highlight: Headley does it again
Two days, two homers for Chase Headley. As I wrote on Thursday, it looks like he’s finally figured it out.
Up Next
The Yankees face another superb left-hander, Jose Quintana (5-1, 1.38 ERA), on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET. Ivan Nova (1-1, 4.34) will make his second start of the season after joining the rotation on May 9 to fill in for the injured CC Sabathia. He was pretty good in that outing, allowing a run on six hits over 4 2/3. He should be a bit more stretched out, and have a longer leash.
Photo: Noah K. Murray / USA Today Sports; Video: MLB.com