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Yankees-White Sox Preview

Aug 29, 2010 - 5:46 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

New York (79-50) at Chicago (70-59), 2:05 p.m. EDT

The New York Yankees outslugged the Chicago White Sox in their last game, but the White Sox may be more envious of their bullpen right now.

New York looks to win its first road series in five tries when it closes a three-game set in Chicago on Sunday.

The Yankees (79-50) outlasted the White Sox (70-59) 12-9 on Saturday as CC Sabathia recorded his major league-leading 18th win. Marcus Thames homered twice, Eduardo Nunez hit the first of his major league career and Nick Swisher connected for the second straight game.

The White Sox threatened late, scoring two runs in the eighth and adding two more in the ninth but Mariano Rivera got the final three outs for his 26th save.

"This was a big game. This has been a trip where we had some tough losses," manager Joe Girardi said.

The win improved New York to 2-3 on its six-game road trip and followed an ugly 9-4 loss in Friday's series opener. The Yankees remained tied with Tampa Bay for first place in the AL East.

While it was another impressive game at the plate for the Yankees, who have scored nine or more runs in six of their last 10 games, they lost one of their big bats when Mark Teixeira departed after two innings with a bruised right thumb he said he injured Friday.

"I'm going to get here early tomorrow and get some treatment and see it how feels," he said.

While New York could also win the wild card if it fails to win the division, losses are much more costly for the White Sox, who dropped 4 1/2 games behind Minnesota in the Central.

John Danks gave up eight runs in 4 1-3 innings Saturday, further taxing a bullpen that is without J.J. Putz (knee), Matt Thornton (elbow) and Erick Threets (elbow). The team's relievers are 2-7 with a 5.03 ERA this month.

In comparison, the Yankees bullpen has a 2.22 ERA in August.

The White Sox hope Gavin Floyd (9-10, 3.91 ERA) can cool the Yankees and provide them with some innings Sunday.

Floyd gave up two runs and struck out six in seven innings of a 7-5 win over Baltimore on Tuesday. The right-hander had allowed 13 runs and 20 hits in his previous two starts against Minnesota after going 6-2 with a 1.19 ERA from June 8-Aug. 7.

Floyd is 1-0 with a 4.94 ERA in his career against the Yankees. He allowed one run and four hits over 7 2-3 innings of a 3-2 victory on July 30, 2009, although he didn't factor in the decision.

New York will counter with Ivan Nova (0-0, 2.16), who will make his second career start.

Nova was solid in his first start, giving up a two-run homer among six hits over 5 1-3 innings in a 3-2 loss to Toronto on Monday.

"He was great. Other than one pitch, he pitched outstanding," Teixeira told the Yankees' official website. "A lot of pitchers come out and try to throw as hard as they can, and the ball is everywhere. His command was great. He's obviously got great stuff, 97 miles an hour. You love what you see there."

Nova's start comes a day after Major League Baseball announced it was investigating him and a minor league teammate for allegedly injecting each other with B-12 shots. While not a banned substance, the league wants to make sure it was in fact B-12.