Watch CBS News

Gardner, Sabathia Lead Yankees Over Rays, Avert Sweep

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brett Gardner hit his eighth home run, one more than this 2016 total, and CC Sabathia won consecutive starts for the first time in nearly a year to help the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 Sunday and avoid a three-game sweep.

Rookie Aaron Judge made a full extension diving backhand catch on the right field warning track in the sixth to rob Evan Longoria of a tying extra-base hit, starting a double play that doubled up Corey Dickerson at first.

Didi Gregorius had four hits, including an RBI single, as New York won for just the fourth time in 11 games.

Sabathia (4-2), coming off a win at Kansas City, allowed two runs and four hits in five-plus innings. He had not won back-to-back starts since June 10 against Detroit and six days later at Minnesota.

Tyler Clippard stranded Kevin Kiermaier at third in the seventh when he relieved Chad Green and retired Logan Morrison on a flyout on the 11th pitch of an at-bat. Dellin Betances got four outs — three on strikeouts — for his second save.

Chris Archer (3-3) struck out a season-high 12, including Judge and Matt Holliday three times each. He gave up three runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Judge struck out four times overall and the Yankees fanned 17 times.

Corey Dickerson scored from second in the first inning when catcher Gary Sanchez was charged with an error for an errant throw attempting to pick off Longoria at first base.

Gregorius had an RBI single in the second and Gardner followed with his drive to right. All of Gardner's home runs have come in a 19-game span starting April 19.

Derek Norris hit a solo homer in the fifth.

There was no carry over from Saturday's game that had three hit batters and three ejections.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Yankees: 1B Greg Bird (bruised right ankle) could hit off a tee and take soft toss Monday. ... Manager Joe Girardi said closer Aroldis Chapman (left shoulder rotator cuff inflammation) feels good and will be re-evaluated Monday to determine when the lefty can start a throwing program.

STRANGE POSTPONEMENT

Charlotte, the Rays' Florida State League affiliate, had its game Saturday against Jupiter postponed in the fourth inning when the protective netting behind the plate fell. The teams played a doubleheader on a back field Sunday at the complex in Port Charlotte, where the host Stone Crabs had a photo on their Twitter site showing complimentary hot dogs and burgers on a portable grill.

UP NEXT

Yankees: RHP Michael Pineda (4-2) will face Kansas City LHP Jason Vargas (5-2) on Monday night in a rematch of New York's 11-7 win over the Royals last Wednesday. Pineda allowed four runs in six innings.

Rays: RHP Jake Odorizzi (3-2) and Los Angeles Angels RHP J.C. Ramirez (3-3) are Monday night's starters. Angels OF Mike Trout is a .362 hitter in 13 games at Tropicana Field.

(Copyright 2017 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.