CC Sabathia’s troubled right knee was no issue in his first start in 11 days. The soon-to-be 39-year-old’s first start back from the injured list was nearly as strong.
Making his return from another bout of inflammation in his right knee — requiring a cortisone injection, and fluid drained — Sabathia matched his longest start of the season, and recorded a season-high eight strikeouts over six innings, while allowing three runs, and suffering his first loss since April 30 in Sunday night’s 8-5 setback to the Red Sox.
Sabathia (3-2), who was seeking his 250th career win, entered as the first pitcher from either side of the rivalry to win six consecutive decisions since Ron Guidry (1977-79), and hadn’t lost to the Red Sox in nine straight starts, which was tied for the longest unbeaten run by a starter against the Red Sox in the past 25 years.
“I thought [he was] pretty good,” Aaron Boone said. “He was efficient, got us through six innings with a chance there. It was good to see him back out there, competing the way he did. I thought he made a lot of pitches.”
The 19-year veteran showed no rust at the start, striking out Mookie Betts, and retiring Andrew Benintendi, but soon found trouble, as J.D. Martinez drilled an inside cutter to left for his 12th home run of the year.
Luke Voit jump-started Boston’s offense in the second, when he mishandled a ground ball while trying to flip it to Sabathia at first, marking the first of three straight Red Sox singles, with Boston taking a 2-0 lead on Eduardo Nunez’s hit to right.
Sabathia’s worst pitch came on a slider to Xander Bogaerts, who crushed a homer to left to lead off the fourth inning. The lefty has allowed a home run in seven straight games, surrendering 13 over that span.
“I felt I was gonna be able to go out and make pitches,” Sabathia said. “Just a couple pitches short.”
Sabathia recovered by retiring six straight hitters, and kept the Yankees within one by escaping a sixth-inning jam. After allowing back-to-back singles to start the frame, Sabathia struck out Bogaerts, and Rafael Devers, as Austin Romine gunned down Benintendi, attempting to steal third.
Sabathia allowed seven hits and no walks, while throwing 83 pitches (61 strikes), and maintaining his streak of pitching at least five innings in every start this year. Most importantly, the lefty walked away unscathed from a couple unforeseen defensive plays testing his knee.
“Walking back, making sure it felt right, it was good enough to keep going,” Sabathia said. “I just tried to go out and get as deep in the game as possible. … I was able to get six innings, so that was good.”
