Yanks edge ChiSox to take series

The Yanks edged the Pale Hoes, 2-1, to take the rubber match of this weekend set on Sunday, spoiling Frank Thomas Day in Chicago.

The story of the game was Ivan Nova, who earned his first major league win in just his second career start. SuperNova went 5 2/3 innings and gave up one run on five hits with seven strikeouts to just one walk. Nova, who hit 97 mph on the radar gun, became the first rookie pitcher for the Yanks to record seven strikeouts within his first four games since Ian Kennedy did it in his third start (September 13, 2007).

Good News: “He’s going to make another start, I can tell you that.” Girardi on Ivan Nova.

Bad News: AJ will also make his next start, (most likely) spoiling what will be my bid to go 6-0 at Yankee Stadium this year.

Fun Facts and News:

• Francisco Cervelli’s leadoff double in the third was his second extra-base hit since the All-Star Break. Cervelli, who had a career-high 4-for-4 day, entered play Sunday a .173 slugging percentage after the All-Star Break and was 4-for-34 since July 29.
• Thames’ last six games: 9-for-21 with five homers and nine RBI.
• Ramiro Pena has 30 total bases all year, Eddie Nunez is already up to 12.
• Joba hit 100 mph on the gun for the first time since his second start in 2008 (h/t @mikeaxisa). Although I’m not sure if I believe that because YES has been known to inflate such numbers, plus Brooks Baseball only had him at 99.6.
• Pettitte said his 35-pitch bullpen session went very well, though he says he’s still, at the very least, two weeks away from returning.
• Lance Berkman to head to Double-A Trenton tomorrow to start his rehab.
• Teixeira was in the lineup today but was scratched after batting practice. Swish Dog played first base in his stead.
• The Yanks finished up their road trip at 3-3 and sit 30 games over .500 at 80-50.

Postgame Quotes:

Girardi on Nova:

"His curveball was very good today. We thought he had a better curveball than he showed the first day, and it was consistent today. He got some outs on some changeups, he had a really good fastball. The young man pitched very well."

Girardi on Thames:

"He swinging the bat great, if we can get him in there as a DH we’ll get him in there. He hit a cutter today, he swinging the bat against righties and lefties…he’s really been getting the job done."

Nova on his first win:

"I want to take the ball and give it to all the players to sign for me because it was a great experience."

Thames:

"You can’t go out and put added pressure on yourself; just go out and play the game the way you normally play it. Everybody gotta step up, that’s what it is. We know that, we said it from day one during spring training."

Berkman on his return (hilarious BTW):

"I’m sure fans can’t wait for me to resume my pursuit of the Mendoza Line."