Yankees Struggle in Extra-Inning Loss to White Sox

CHICAGO — The bullpen has been a key focus for the Yankees leading up to the trade deadline, yet it’s been performing better than expected until now.

However, with only five days left until the deadline, the overworked unit faced a tough night.

In a game where two top Yankees relievers were unavailable due to recent heavy usage, Paul Blackburn gave up two home runs back-to-back in the eighth inning, erasing a three-run lead.

This all unfolded after the fourth inning.

Ryan Yarbrough, the Yankees’ fifth and likely final reliever of the night, was hit by a walk-off single from Edgar Cuero in Wednesday’s 6-5 defeat to the White Sox at Lehto Field.

During the top of the 12th inning, the Yankees loaded the bases with one out, but Ben Rice struck out and Ali Sanchez grounded out, squandering the opportunity.

Then, after the White Sox advanced an automatic runner to third on a sacrifice bunt, Cuero delivered the decisive hit to center field.

The Yankees (61-47) have struggled in overtime, holding a 1-7 record this season, and now sit 2½ games behind the AL East-leading Rays.

They are looking to secure a fourth consecutive win against the White Sox (56-51).

The recent string of close games has largely stemmed from the Yankees’ offensive struggles, which have put extra pressure on the bullpen.

On Wednesday, key relievers David Bednar, Brent Headrick, and Angel Chivili were all out after pitching in consecutive games, with Bednar appearing in four of the last five.

Anthony Volpe briefly put the Yankees ahead 5-4 with a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the 11th inning.

Camilo Doval, who has had a rough season, managed two quick outs with help from his defense. Paul Goldschmidt made a pick-off on Doval’s throw to first, and Ryan McMahon executed a sliding stop.

But on a 2-0 pitch to Andrew Benintendi, Sanchez’s attempt to pick off Munetaka Murakami at third ended with an errant throw, allowing Murakami to tie the game.

Doval then issued walks to both Benintendi and Braden Montgomery before finally getting a groundout.

Tim Hill took the mound in the 10th and surprisingly earned the win despite earlier struggles. A wild pitch left the automatic runner at third with no outs, but the Yankees’ strategic infield shift eventually paid off.

Hill managed to get Edgar Cuero, and pinch-hitter Randal Grichuk to ground out, then struck out Murakami, who had previously tied the game with his hit against Blackburn.

Earlier in the game, Cam Schrittler shone on the mound, tossing 6⅓ innings and allowing only one run while recording eight strikeouts. He faced a single hit until the seventh, but frustration mounted as his performance unraveled.

After walking Murakami, Schrittler was hit by a 98 mph sinker from Miguel Vargas, allowing an RBI double to Benintendi, prompting Aaron Boone to make a bullpen call.

Fernando Cruz entered, managing to get the last two outs and leaving both inherited runners stranded, marking a successful season for him in critical scenarios.

Cruz pitched again in the eighth inning, achieving the first out after giving up a leadoff double and running out of gas, so Blackburn stepped in.

The night started well for Blackburn, who held a 0.92 ERA in his last 25 games since mid-May. But he quickly faltered, giving up a two-run homer to Sam Antonacci, narrowing the Yankees’ lead to 4-3.

Next up was Murakami, who hit a home run off the first pitch to level the score.

Spencer Jones had initially provided a boost to the Yankees with a three-run homer, placing them ahead 4-0 before Schrittler took the mound. Yet, despite getting runners to third in both the sixth and seventh innings, the Yankees missed chances to add to their lead, leaving the game hanging in the balance.