CC Sabathia wasn’t going to offer much in his first start off the 10-day disabled list. And with his 37-year-old starter throwing in what felt like 31-degree weather, Aaron Boone wasn’t going to allow it.
But the Yankees still got enough of what they’re accustomed to seeing from the southpaw when he takes the mound after a Yankees loss.
Making his first start since leaving an April 6 start with pain in his right hip, Sabathia received a no-decision after throwing just 71 pitches, and allowing two unearned runs over 4 ¹/₃ innings in the Yankees 4-3 win over the Blue Jays on Thursday night in The Bronx.
Since joining the Yankees, Sabathia is 4-1 with a 2.19 ERA in seven starts off of a DL stint. Since last season, the lefty is 9-0 with a 1.88 ERA in 13 regular-season starts following a Yankees loss.
“I thought CC was good,” Boone said. “We weren’t gonna go much past 75 or 80 [pitches] … but he gave us what we needed. Hopefully that’s the start of him getting the ball rolling now again, and continue to build that pitch count up, but he gave us what we needed.”
If not for defensive miscues, Sabathia could have been in line to record his first win — and decision — of the season.
Sabathia didn’t allow a hit in his first two innings, but surrendered back-to-back singles to start the third. He then recorded two straight outs, and was one strike from escaping the inning. But Sabathia and catcher Gary Sanchez got crossed up on their signals, resulting in a passed ball, which allowed Toronto to cut the Yankees lead to 2-1.
Sanchez called for a slider. Sabathia threw a cutter.
“That 1,000 percent there should have been a mound visit, but it is what it is,” said Sabathia, citing the new rule limiting the number of mound visits. “The passed ball was my fault. It was my mistake. … I didn’t see the other sign. I decided what I wanted and threw that pitch.”
In the fourth, third baseman Ronald Torreyes opened the frame by committing a throwing error — the Yankees’ American League-worst 18th of the season — and Toronto’s first two hitters reached base after Sabathia hit Kevin Pillar. Sabathia nearly got out of trouble again, but Luke Maile hit a two-out single up the middle to tie the game.
Sabathia, who threw a combined nine innings in his first two starts of the season, ended up allowing four hits, with one walk, and one strikeout, throwing 50 of his 71 pitches for strikes.
“I felt pretty good. It was cold, but I felt pretty good while I was out there,” said Sabathia, who has a 2.70 ERA this season. “Just being back out there competing, it was good to get a win. I’d love to keep building, and have better starts.”
