McCann’s pinch-hit HR lifts Yanks over White Sox in 10
NEW YORK (AP) -- Pinch-hitter Brian McCann lined a three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning, and the New York Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox 7-4 Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.
Ichiro Suzuki had a two-run single and the Yankees rallied for their fourth straight victory following a 2-7 slide. Chasing an American League playoff spot, they finished a 4-2 homestand against two losing teams by getting their second game-ending hit against Chicago in three days.
Avisail Garcia hit a tying homer in the ninth for the White Sox, who have lost a season-high six in a row and dropped their last eight games at Yankee Stadium.
New York rallied for four unearned runs off All-Star ace Chris Sale in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead, capitalizing on an error by left fielder Dayan Viciedo.
Suzuki capped the outburst with a two-run single, making him the first left-handed batter to drive in a run against Sale since Minnesota star Joe Mauer on Aug. 17, 2013, according to STATS.
Garcia led off the ninth with a home run against Yankees closer David Robertson, who had converted 22 consecutive save chances since June 5 - the longest active streak in the majors.
After striking out his first three times up, Garcia hit an opposite-field shot to the short porch in right on Robertson's first pitch. It was an eventful series for Robertson, who pitched in all three games and ended up with a win, a save and a blown save.
Carlos Beltran doubled off Jake Petricka (0-3) with two outs in the 10th, and Chase Headley was intentionally walked. McCann, batting for backup catcher Francisco Cervelli, laced a full-count pitch over the 314-foot sign in the right-field corner for the 15th homer of his first season in New York.
A fired-up McCann pumped his fist and shouted as he rounded first base, then threw his helmet to the ground when he approached a swarm of happy teammates at home plate. Two buckets of liquid were dumped over his head.
David Huff (3-1) threw a called third strike past slugger Jose Abreu with two on to end the top of the 10th.
Chris Capuano allowed three runs over six innings and is still looking for his first win with the Yankees after six starts.
Alexei Ramirez hit his first career leadoff homer and Conor Gillaspie had a two-run shot for the White Sox.
Sale is 0-2 in five starts since beating the Twins 7-0 on July 26. He entered 3-0 with a 0.85 ERA and 40 strikeouts in seven career appearances (four starts) against the Yankees.
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: CF Adam Eaton (strained right oblique) went 2 for 5 with a double and a run Saturday night in the first game of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte. Eaton was scheduled to play for Charlotte again Sunday and probably Monday, manager Robin Ventura said.
Yankees: LF Brett Gardner sat out with a sore ankle on his 31st birthday. "We're hoping it's just today," manager Joe Girardi said. CF Jacoby Ellsbury also was out of the lineup and is "pretty beat up," according to Girardi. With the Yankees facing Sale, Girardi figured it was a good day to rest Ellsbury, who entered on defense in the seventh.
UP NEXT
Chicago is off Monday before opening a seven-game homestand Tuesday night, with LHP Jose Quintana (6-10, 3.25 ERA) facing Cleveland LHP T.J. House (2-3, 3.80).
New York begins an important seven-game road trip Monday night with RHP Michael Pineda (2-2, 2.05 ERA) on the mound against Kansas City RHP James Shields (12-6, 3.28) in the makeup of a June 9 rainout. After that, the Yankees visit Detroit and Toronto.
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