FOR the first time since July 9, they’re in first place. But to the Yanks, first place is still no place. Nothing to boast about yet.
Last night’s 8-3 victory over the White Sox in Chicago, the Yankees’ ninth in 10 games and 14th of 16, moved New York one-half game in front of Boston, which dropped its fifth straight, being one-hit by Dave Goltz in Minnesota.
“I don’t really consider us to be in first place,” said Graig Nettles, whose 30th home run, a three-run drive in the eighth, gave Mike Torrez breathing room as he bulled his way to his seventh straight completegame win. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re never in first until you’ve got the fewest losses, and we’re still behind in the loss column.”
Yes, the Yankees do trail the Red Sox in the loss column (50-51), but a week ago, they trailed by six games.
Last night, the team was paced by Mickey Rivers, five-for-five, three RBI’s, the game-winning hit for the fourth time in nine games.
Rivers’ two-out single in the third off loser Wilbur Wood drove in two runs and gave the Yankees a 3-0 lead. His fourth hit snapped a 3-3 tie in the seventh.