Despite another bullpen fallout, Jordan Montgomery leads the Yankees past the White Sox 6-5

Coming into Wednesday’s matchup, the Yankees own a 2-10 record over their last 12 games, losing seven straight during that span. In an attempt to change the recent losing woes, Jordan Montgomery toes the rubber for his 14th start of the season, and Jacoby Ellsbury returns to lineup for the first time in a month. Montgomery has become one of the more consistent starters for the Yanks, and is 3-1 with a 2.55 ERA over his last 6 games, that kind of form is exactly what the Yankees needed to start this seven game road trip and that’s exactly what they got. Montgomery went seven innings, scattering five hits while allowing only one run on the solo homer from Todd Frazier and despite another bullpen collapse the Yankees came up with the victory.

Photo Credit: Paul Beatty | AP

After escaping a quick jam in the first inning after giving up an error by his own hand, Montgomery got a nice 5-6-3 double play to end it, but to lead off the second Todd Frazier hit the second pitch deep into the Chicago night to give the White Sox an early 1-0 lead. That lead didn’t last long for the South Siders thanks to a three-run fourth inning as a result of two sacrifice flies from Tyler Austin and Ronald Torreyes and an RBI single by Chase Headley, who would eventually collect three hits on the night. 

The Yankees would hold a 3-1 lead up until another three run sixth inning thanks to a Tyler Austin leadoff solo home run, a sacrifice fly by Austin Romine and an error by first baseman Matt Davidson. Yet, the White Sox would make it interesting in the ninth inning with a three-run home run from Tim Anderson, and a one out RBI double by Jose Abreu. 

Photo Credit: Paul Beatty | AP

The Yankees 6-1 lead, which they held strong for eight innings, was quickly cut down to 6-5. The bullpen was looking to do the same thing they’ve been doing over the past two and a half weeks and blow a game. Yet to the liking of all Yankee fans, they were able to hold on to a very slim 6-5 lead and win by that score.

On the same day that Aaron Hicks was officially placed on the disabled list, Starlin Castro tried to leg out an infield single in the third inning and would ultimately leave the game with a hamstring strain. The severity of the injury and the length of time he will miss is still unknown.

With a strong start, Montgomery ends up getting his sixth win of the season, the Yankees end their two game skid and they improve their record to 41-33 and are still tied for first place in the American League East with the Boston Red Sox. 

The Yankees are back in action tomorrow at 8:10 PM EST on YES versus the White Sox. Luis Severino (5-3 3.30) will face off against the underachieving Jose Quintana (4-8 4.69) as the Yankees look to secure game two of this four game series.

Winning Pitcher: Jordan Montgomery: (6-4, 3.53 ERA) 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K 1 HR

Losing Pitcher: David Holmberg: (1-2, 2.92) 5.1 IP, 5 H, 6 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 2 K

Save: Aroldis Chapman (8)

Notables:

Chase Headley: 3-4, 2B, RBI

Tyler Austin: 1-4, HR(1), 2 RBI

Jordan Montgomery: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 1 HR

Tim Anderson: 2-5, 3R-HR(7), 3 RBI

Todd Frazier: 1-3, HR(13), RBI

Jose Abreu: 3-4, 2B, RBI, 1 BB

Article by: Vinny Romita
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