Yankees cruise with Sabathia’s nine strikeouts
It would appear as if the New York Yankees have fallen victim to the month of August. Their bats have been quiet, predominantly the one of Derek Jeter. The Yanks are also nursing some injuries to a few key players. But in the midst of all these adversities, New York has CC Sabathia.
With their ace doing phenomenal, New York defeated the Tigers, 6-2, on Tuesday and Sabathia earned his American League-leading 16th victory.
"He's been huge for us," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "CC has been so consistent in what he does, giving us innings, doing so much for our rotation and this club. He did it again. When we needed a win, he went out and got it."
Given his success this month, no one could have anticipated that his first pitch of the night would end up being a home run. But Sabathia did not get rattled from Austin Jackson’s solo run and redeemed himself the rest of the way by shutting down Detroit’s batters.
He completed seven innings, walking three, striking out nine, yielded five hits, and two runs (both homers).
“He does what he does," Derek Jeter said. "That's what he does pretty much every time out, it seems like. He gave up a couple of home runs, but that was it. He was in a couple of jams there, but he was able to pitch out of it. CC's been doing that all year."
Girardi did visit Sabathia on the mound in the seventh to check up on his ace after giving up a solo shot to Brandon Inge earlier in the frame. Sabathia assured the Yankees manager that he was in control of the situation and ended the inning without any further damage.
"CC knows how to shut the door," Girardi said. "When he needs to make an adjustment, he's able to do it. That's why he's been such a consistent winner over the years. He knows how to make minor adjustments."
The Tigers were countering with ace Justin Verlander who yielded three runs in only five innings.
Nick Swisher gave the Yankees the lead in the first inning with a two-run single, sending Jeter and Brett Gardner across the plate. New York continued the onslaught in the next frame after Curtis Granderson hit his 12th home run of the season. Verlander took full responsibility for his poor outing and did not shy away from criticizing his lacklustre performance.
"This is the worst I've ever felt on the mound as a professional baseball player, bar none," Verlander said. "I feel like I was so far from where I needed to be."
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