The New York Yankees stretched their winning streak to a season-high seven games with Saturday’s 5-3, 11-inning victory against the host Chicago White Sox.
“A bunch of wins coming different ways,” Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger said, “so that was a good one.”
New York will aim to sweep a four-game weekend set from the White Sox on Sunday afternoon while continuing its tear through the American League standings.
The Yankees on Saturday moved two games behind the East-leading Toronto Blue Jays while stretching their lead over the Boston Red Sox for the first AL wild-card spot to 1 1/2 games.
“Sounds good, but a lot more baseball to be played and one more here tomorrow,” Bellinger said Saturday. “So just focus on the one tomorrow and see what happens.”
Bellinger delivered a go-ahead bloop single in the 11th, but the Yankees flexed their muscle earlier in the game. Aaron Judge and Austin Wells homered, padding New York’s major-league-best total to 232.
Bellinger’s approach to the at-bat helped illustrate New York’s mindset during the surge. He delivered his lone hit of the game after Chicago intentionally walked Judge, who leads the team with 42 home runs.
“Just understanding it’s my turn to get the job done and doing everything I can to get the job done,” Bellinger said.
White Sox starter Martin Perez carries a similar outlook, although he only gets the chance to contribute every five days.
Left-hander Perez (1-3, 2.02 ERA), who was sidelined for most of the season with inflammation in his pitching elbow, has pitched to an 0.57 ERA in three appearances covering 15 2/3 innings since returning to the majors this month.
“I think it was all the work I was putting in on my body and my arm,” he said. “Mentally, I’m ready. I was into the process and trying to get ready with my head at some point. I know I have to go out there and do my job.”
Perez, 34, added that “I’m a big believer that next year is going to be different.”
Still, there are opportunities to improve in the interim, including moving past setbacks. On Tuesday, Perez was in line for a home win against the Kansas City Royals, leaving with a 4-0 lead after seven innings. The bullpen faltered down the stretch, however, and the White Sox lost 5-4, the first of five straight defeats.
“We’re working hard to get to the point that we can be a contending team all year,” Perez said. “For us as players, it’s time for us to do our job.”
Perez is 3-5 with a 5.37 ERA in 15 career appearances against the Yankees, including 12 starts.
New York will turn to right-hander Luis Gil (2-1, 3.75 ERA), who has made five starts since returning to the rotation after a lengthy right lat injury.
Gil defeated Washington 5-1 on Tuesday behind five innings of one-run, five hit ball. He’s 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA in three career starts against the White Sox.
–Field Level Media
