Yanks' Sabathia bounces back from subpar outings
CC Sabathia still hasn't won a game since Aug. 24, but the lefty gave the Yankees the type of dominant
performance Friday night they've been waiting for.
Sabathia threw eight shutout innings in a no-decision against the A's, holding Oakland to three hits and
two walks while striking out 11. He didn't allow a hit until Stephen Drew's leadoff single in the sixth,
preventing a runner from reaching second base until the eighth. The Yankees went on to win 2-1 in the 10th
inning.
"I know it's been a season where it hasn't been vintage CC, but here's a guy with an ERA under 3.50 and
we're not calling it vintage CC," manager Joe Girardi said. "That's how good he is. Tonight might have been
the best game he's pitched all year."
Sabathia's fastball was coming in at 90-91 miles per hour in the first inning, inching up to 92 in the
second. By the third, the left-hander was firing heaters at 93-95, easing any anxiety about the health of
his left elbow that landed him on the disabled list earlier this season.
"I was just trying not to overthrow," Sabathia said. "I felt pretty good coming out of the bullpen, so I
just wanted to make sure I kept my delivery together, make sure I commanded the ball. Velocity will come
and go; it's up to me to make good pitches and command the baseball."
