Yankees Complete Doubleheader Sweep Of Cubs

Apr 16, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Carlos Beltran (36) singles to left advancing a man during the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

One of the things that has helped the Yankees get off to a strong start so far is the fact that they have one of the strongest starting pitching staffs in baseball. That staff was on full display today as the Yankees shut out the Cubs on both ends of a doubleheader, taking the nightcap by a score of 2-0. It was the first time the Yankees shut a team out in both ends of a doubleheader since 1987.

The Yankees got their first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Scott Sizemore reached on an infield hit. After a strikeout, John Ryan Murphy singled. Brett Gardner followed with a single of his own to make it 1-0.

The Yankees got their last run of the game in the next inning. With one out Alfonso Soriano and Yangervis Solarte singled. Two batters later, Sizemore got his first RBI since September 2011 with a single.

Michael Pineda was again strong. He went six innings, gave up four hits, walked just one and struck out three, even though he was only hitting 91-92 on the radar gun on this cold April night in the Bronx.

The bullpen of Matt Thornton, David Phelps and Adam Warren made things interesting, but managed to keep the shutout.

The Yankees head to Tampa for a four game set against the Rays, who have lost six of their last nine games. CC Sabathia will take on David Price in a match-up of number one pitchers at 7:10ET.