Cabrera Hits for Cycle in Yankee Win Over White Sox
August 2, 2009 · A.J. Martelli · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Coming off three straight losses to the Chicago White Sox, the New York Yankees finally beat them 8-5 Sunday afternoon, avoiding a sweep.
Melky Cabrera put on an offensive show in the game, going 4-for-5 and hitting for the cycle.
“I just want to thank our manager for the opportunity to play every day,” Cabrera told the YES Network after the win.
“When the ball went over (Jermaine) Dye’s head I just didn’t want to make an out. My teammates were happy for me; we just have to keep working hard and I am so happy. I just want to take advantage and play every day”
Cabrera smacked a three-run home run in the top of the second, wrapped a double in the top of the fourth, singled in the top of the fifth, and completed the cycle with a triple in the top of the ninth.
“It was a great day for Melky,” Yankee manager Joe Girardi said to the press after the game.
“He got us started with that homer and it was special for him to end the day with the cycle. Melky was outstanding and everyone seemed to contribute.”
Cabrera is the first Yankee to hit for the cycle since Tony Fernandez on Sep. 3, 1995 against the Oakland Athletics, and he is only the 15th Yankee to ever accomplish the feat.
He racked up four RBIs and two runs scored on the day.
Tied 4-4 in the top of the fourth, Johnny Damon singled to centerfield to score Jose Molina, giving the Yanks the lead in the game.
On top of Cabrera’s four RBIs and Damon’s RBI single, recent acquisition Jerry Hairston, Jr., Molina, and Derek Jeter each knocked in a run on the afternoon, finishing the Yanks’ scoring in the game.
The White Sox scored five runs in the game, two of which came off the bats of Dye and Jim Thome.
In the bottom of the third, Dye and Thome clubbed back-to-back home runs that gave the Sox three runs.
Rookie third baseman Gordon Beckham notched an RBI single in the bottom of the third to score Scott Podsednik. Carlos Quentin singled to drive in Beckham in the bottom of the eighth, completing Chicago’s offense on the night.
CC Sabathia got the nod for the Yankees today. The ace went seven innings, gave up five earned runs on 10 hits, allowed no walks and struck out five batters.
“I felt a lot better today than I have in previous starts,” Sabathia told the press.
“I left the sinker over the plate for Thome, left some pitches up and I was just trying to make pitches. They (the White Sox) score early, and you never want to get swept. I just did whatever I could to win.”
Sabathia gets the win and improves his season record to 11-7.
Phil Hughes recorded his ninth hold of 2009 while Mariano Rivera nailed down save number 30 this year.
After an off-day tomorrow, the Yankees’ will continue their road trip and head up to Toronto to open up a two-game series with the Blue Jays.
On Tuesday night Andy Pettitte (8-6, 4.51 ERA) will start for the Yanks against 2003 American League Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay (11-4, 2.68 ERA)
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