A.J. Pierzynski’s two out, two-run seventh inning double was the difference, as Chicago edged New York, 7-6 Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. Andrew Jones posted his 40th career multi-homer game in the win. The Yankees’ loss snapped a five-game winning streak against the White Sox dating back to last season.
After New York scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to take its first lead of the game, Chicago answered with two runs in the top of the seventh. After reliever David Robertson (0-2) allowed a double and an intentional walk, lefty Damaso Marte entered the game. The left-handed hitting Pierzynski greeted Marte with a two-run double to left giving the White Sox a 7-6 advantage.
Trailing 5-2 entering the bottom of the sixth, New York rallied for four runs off Chicago reliever Scott Linebrink (1-0). With runners at first and third and one out, Brett Gardner delivered an RBI single. Derek Jeter followed with an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to one. Former member of the White Sox Nick Swisher then delivered a two-run home run over the center field fence to give the Yankees a 6-5 lead.
Despite allowing four runs and four hits in 1.1 innings, Linebrink earned the victory. Bobby Jenks pitched around a ninth inning hit to earn his fifth save.
Jones helped stake the White Sox to an early 3-0 lead with a pair of home runs in his first two at bats. He entered the game a career .392 (20-51) hitter with five home runs against Yankees starter Javier Vazquez. Jones began with a two-run blast with two outs in the top of the first. His home run in the top of the third landed in the visitors’ bullpen beyond the left center field wall.
Vazquez was ineffective in his fourth start as his ERA ballooned to 9.78. He was booed off the mound in the fourth inning after allowing five runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and four walks.
In between Jones’s home runs, Chicago added a run in the top of the second. Vazquez loaded the bases on two walks and a single. The White Sox only scored one run on Omar Vizquel’s sacrifice fly RBI.
New York scored its first run in the bottom of the third on Mark Teixeira’s RBI single. The Yankees had runners at first and second with no outs, but Nick Swisher hit into a double play to minimize the damage.
Chicago immediately answered in the top of the fourth on Mark Kotsay’s two-run home run to increase the lead to 5-1. Later in the inning, Sergio Mitre relieved Vazquez with runners at first and second and no outs and tossed three scoreless innings of relief.
The Yankees loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fifth on two singles and a walk. However, Chicago starter John Danks again limited the damage, as the Yankees only scored one run on an Alex Rodriguez fielder’s choice RBI to cut the White Sox lead to 5-3.
Chicago and New York will finish their weekend series on Sunday afternoon. Mark Buehrle (2-3, 4.68) will start for the White Sox, while the Yankees will counter with Phil Hughes (2-0, 2.00). First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. ET.
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