NOTHING ‘SHORT’ OF AMAZING: Derek Jeter, who went 4-for-5 with a home run, watches his double sail over the head of right-fielder Alex Rios during the seventh inning of the Yankees’ 9-6 loss to the White Sox. The shortstop tied Eddie Murray for 11th on the all-time hits list. (
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CHICAGO — It’s too bad Derek Jeter didn’t take a shot at pitching last night.
With Freddy Garcia and five relievers all working to various degrees of ineffectiveness, had Jeter been able to hurl as well as he hit, the Yankees may have avoided a hard-to-watch, 9-6 loss to the White Sox in front of 27,561 at U.S. Cellular Field.
Jeter went 4-for-5 with a home run and tied Eddie Murray for 11th place on the all-time hit list with 3,255. Willie Mays is next at 3,283. The homer was No. 251 and tied him for 202nd place on that chart with Tony Armas, Tony Clark, Cy Williams and Robin Yount. Next up at 252 are Joe Torre, Bobby Murcer, Prince Fielder and Bret Boone. Jeter scored twice and passed Craig Biggio into 13th place on the all-time runs list.
Yet, it was troubles on the mound that did the Yankees in. The loss coupled with the second-place Rays winning sliced the Yankees’ AL East lead to four lengths. It’s the smallest advantage the Yankees have had since June 29. On July 18, the Yankees were 10 games ahead. Because the Rangers won, the Yankees’ lead over them for the best record in the AL is one-half game.
“We have been struggling of late. We have to grind through it,’’ said Boone Logan, who gave up a two-run homer to Alexei Ramirez in the seventh inning that fractured a 6-6 tie. “We all know that. We are doing the best we can.’’
While Logan, Clay Rapada and Derek Lowe weren’t effective, Joba Chamberlain’s second consecutive poor outing has placed his big-league status in jeopardy.
“Long term, no,’’ Joe Girardi said of being concerned after Chamberlain’s outing consisted of two hits and a run in two-thirds of an inning. “Short term, yeah.’’
With CC Sabathia likely coming off the DL Friday, the Yankees will need to make a move. Based on his last two outings (Chamberlain gave up two runs and four hits Thursday), it could be Chamberlain being shipped out until the rosters expand Sept. 1.
“He has to be more consistent, he has to help us, ‘’ Girardi said of Chamberlain, who gave up leadoff homer to Gordon Beckham that tied the score 6-6 in the sixth. “He’s got to help us. I don’t anticipate making any changes tonight.’’
Chamberlain, who has appeared in seven games since coming off the DL, is searching for why his command has been inconsistent.
“If I knew I would have figured it out, get back to the board and see what I can do,’’ Chamberlain said. “Figure out what it is. It’s frustrating but it’s a learning experience. I have to find out what to do to get better.’’
While the pitchers have to shoulder the responsibility for the loss, the Yankees could have hurt starter Gavin Floyd more than they did in the first inning when they scored twice but left the bases loaded. They scored another run in the third for a 3-0 lead but stranded two. Before the third inning was over Floyd was gone.
Garcia worked in and out of trouble in the opening four frames but didn’t escape the fifth when the White Sox scored five runs. Dewayne Wise, who was let go by the Yankees when they acquired Ichiro Suzuki, hit a two-run homer off Garcia.
“I am really disappointed. I couldn’t throw strikes,’’ said Garcia, who allowed five runs, six hits and walked four in 4 1/3 innings. “I couldn’t make a pitch when I needed it.’’