CC Sabathia may have taken the loss on Sunday, but the Yankees southpaw still picked up his team in a big way.
With the team heading to Washington D.C. to resume a suspended game on Monday and play another game afterward, Sabathia’s 7.2 innings pitched allowed manager Aaron Boone to save some arms in his bullpen.
“It was really good to get some length out of both (Luis Severino) and CC,” Boone said following the Yankees’ 3-1 loss to the Rays. “Both were terrific, but today (we) couldn’t get it going offensively.”
Sabathia allowed all three of his runs in the second inning, but Boone said it was because the 37-year-old was actually too good, which caused him to struggle with his command.
Sabathia, who lost for the first time at Yankee Stadium since Aug. 25 of last year, agreed.
“Sometimes when I’m feeling good I try to overthrow, my pitches don’t make the actions they’re supposed to,” he said. “My backdoor slider wasn’t as good today and I gave up the hit to (Matt) Duffy with two outs, two strikes, probably could’ve made a better pitch.”
![CC Sabathia pitched 7.2 innings on Sunday. CC Sabathia pitched 7.2 innings on Sunday.](/wp-content/uploads/migration/2018/06/18/2I5LITWHEFFRFKUGSE5SIGJFBQ.jpg)
AARON BOOM
Aaron Boone cracked a homer in his final swing of batting practice — perhaps his first homer in the Bronx since 2003.
“I don’t know the last time I hit so it was nice to sneak one out of there and go deep again,” Boone said. “I was kind of digging that a little bit. And then Marcus (Thames) jumps in behind me and hits one like 20 feet further. It was fun to get in there, take a couple hacks and realize how old and slow-twitched you are.”
MONTY TALKS
Jordan Montgomery spoke for the first time since undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery, saying it felt like the “carpet getting pulled from me.” Montgomery said the procedure went smoothly, though.
Montgomery, 25, doesn’t know of any specific timetables but he expects to be throwing again in four months.
Montgomery had begun to throw from 120 feet and on flat ground in Baltimore but experienced discomfort which led to an MRI and then learning the worst. He rode a stationary bike on Saturday as part of an effort to make sure he doesn’t gain additional weight while he’s out.
BRETT BANGED UP
Brett Gardner was not in the lineup Sunday due to a sore right knee and underwent an MRI prior to the game. He said he had some inflammation but he thinks it’s nothing serious and hopes to be back in the lineup Monday or Tuesday.
If Gardner is unavailable Monday, the Yankees could call up Clint Frazier as their 26th man they are allowed for the game-and-a-half they are scheduled to play against the Nationals.
OF NOTE
Masahiro Tanaka (hamstrings) threw on Sunday, but Boone said there is still no exact timetable for the righty to get back on the mound. Tanaka is expected to miss a month, Brian Cashman reiterated on Friday, a week into his disabled list stint. …Jacoby Ellsbury (multiple injuries) saw a back specialist this past week and the Bombers are hoping he can ramp it up soon to begin baseball activities. …Boone has not made a decision on who will start Monday’s suspended game, which resumes in the bottom of the sixth inning tied at 3, but said it will likely be a reliever.