The Chicago White Sox achieved a decisive 12-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Monday night, bringing interim manager Grady Sizemore his first win since taking over. This win comes after the team had struggled dramatically, losing 24 of their last 25 games prior to this matchup.
Gavin Sheets led the charge with four hits and four runs batted in, while Korey Lee and Brooks Baldwin each contributed home runs. The White Sox set season highs in both runs and hits, with a total of 18, after having lost their first two games under Sizemore, who was appointed following the firing of Pedro Grifol. This marked a significant turnaround for the team, which had recently endured a 21-game losing streak that matched an American League record.
Entering the game with the worst record in Major League Baseball, the White Sox faced a Yankees team that was tied for the best record in the league. Notably, this was the first time since 1934 that a team with the worst record defeated a team with the best record by a margin of more than 10 runs in July or later.
Sizemore expressed his pride in his players, emphasizing the energy and effort they displayed during the game. Lee opened the scoring with a lead-off home run in the fourth inning, while Baldwin sealed a six-run seventh inning with a three-run homer.
Sheets had a standout game, hitting three doubles and a single, also contributing to run support throughout the contest. Andrew Vaughn added to the victory with four hits and two runs scored.
On the Yankees side, Aaron Judge managed to drive in a run, falling just short of his 300th career home run. Yankees starter Luis Gil struggled, allowing four runs and walking two batters in four innings of work.
The White Sox’s win provided a much-needed morale boost, demonstrating a solid team effort against a formidable opponent. Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the disappointment of the loss, highlighting the ongoing challenge of maintaining focus amid tough outcomes.