Sabathia Slammed In Sixth As Yankees Fall To Red Sox

Apr 11, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) talks with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) as they walk off the field after the top half of the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

If the New York Yankees are going to be contenders this year, CC Sabathia is going to have to be better. Period.

Sabathia was pitching well today and then, like in Toronto, the wheels fell off in the sixth inning. That sixth inning doomed the Yankees as Jon Lester was on his A game as they fell 4-2.

The Yankees got the early 1-0 lead in the second when Alfonso Soriano hit his second homer of the year. It stayed that way until that sixth inning.

Jonny Gomes led off the inning with his first homer of the year. Two batters later, David Ortiz got an excuse me check swing single. Mike Napoli followed with a single of his own. Grady Sizemore followed with his second homer of the year.

The Yanks had a small, two out rally in the seventh. Ichiro Suzuki singled. Brian Roberts followed with a walk. Kelly Johnson singled to knock out Lester and make it 4-2. Junichi Tazawa would come in and get Derek Jeter to fly out to end the threat.

Hiroki Kuroda will take on John Lackey at 1:05 tomorrow afternoon.