Yankees Gain Split of "Smoggleheader"

If you're going to split a doubleheader, it's better to lose the 1st game. You only need half an hour to come back and win. If you win the opener, but lose the nightcap, you've got another day to think about it and try again.

After losing the 1st game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, the makeup of their 1st-ever postponement due to poor air quality, the Yankees needed a win. Unfortunately, their long injury list made this another "hole in the rotation" game. The starting pitcher was rookie Randy Vásquez, who'd struggled in Triple-A ball.

Surprise: He took a shutout into the 6th inning, allowing only 2 hits and a walk. And seemed upset when he was removed after getting into a little trouble, having thrown only 86 pitches. Ron Marinaccio ended the threat, and pitched the 7th and the 8th, allowing only a walk.

Without Aaron Judge in the lineup, to make all the Yankee hitters better, they struggle. This time, there was enough. Willie Calhoun led off the 4th with a double, and Gleyber Torres, who really needed it (lately, he's been shaky with both bat and glove), hit a home run. Billy McKinney led off the 5th with a home run, his 1st as a Yankee.

Clay Holmes closed out the 2-hit shutout, and the "smoggleheader." Yankees 3, White Sox 0. WP: Vásquez (1-1), his 1st major league win. SV: Holmes (7). LP: Mike Clevinger (3-4).

Now, the Auld Enemy comes in: The Boston Red Sox. After that, we go to Flushing to play the Mets. There's going to be a bit of hostility over the next few days.