In Trevor Cahill’s first start since being named to the American League All-Star team, all it took was one pitch to Alex Rodriguez to ruin the pitcher’s duel. Cahill and Yankees starter C.C. Sabathia were both looking solid. The A’s managed an early run, thanks in part to a wild pitch, and the Yankees had evened it up in the top of the third. Cahill proceeded to hit Mark Teixeira in the back to load the bases, and one bad pitch was all A-Rod needed to blow this game open.
Oakland, CA (Sports Network) – Alex Rodriguez hit his 21st career grand slam and CC Sabathia pitched 7 2/3 strong innings, as the New York Yankees defeated the Oakland Athletics, 6-1, in the middle installment of a three-game series.
Rodriguez now has 597 career home runs and is tied with Manny Ramirez for second place on the all-time list for most grand slams. Only former Yankee Lou Gehrig, with 23, has more.
Sabathia (11-3) allowed one run on seven hits with 10 strikeouts and improved to 7-0 in his last seven starts for the Yankees, who have won four straight and five of their last six games overall.
Kevin Kouzmanoff drove in the lone run for the A’s, who have lost 16 of their last 20 contests against the Yankees.
Oakland starter Trevor Cahill (8-3) was 7-0 over his last nine starts, but suffered the loss after he surrendered six runs on four hits over six innings.