Opener experiment doesn't yield results for Severino

CHICAGO -- With Luis Severino’s continued struggles this season, the Yankees tried something different Wednesday as they attempt to get him on track.

But using Severino out of the bullpen, as part of an opener strategy in which he piggybacked reliever Ian Hamilton, yielded similar results for the 29-year-old -- and similar questions.

Severino allowed four runs in two-plus innings, surrendering five hits -- including a home run -- in the Yankees’ 9-2 loss to the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

“I’m having the worst year of my life in baseball,” Severino said. “I’ve got to continue; I’m not going to stop here. I’m going to keep trying to get better.”

Severino entered the day with a 7.74 ERA in 13 starts this season. With a 13.85 ERA in the first inning, in which opponents were hitting .436/.507/.790 against him, the Yankees hoped bringing him in after an opener would provide a softer landing.

“Just taking a little pressure off that first, the top of the order, that first go-around,” manager Aaron Boone said before the game. “Hopefully, get him in there at a better spot where he can take off. He’s shown flashes of it within his starts.”

Severino said he was “a little bit” surprised when the Yankees told him that he would come out of the bullpen. But considering his first-inning struggles, he thought it was “a good idea,” while understanding that he would have a shorter leash.

But Severino’s struggles go beyond a rough opening frame. Entering Wednesday, he had a 4.15 ERA in the second, 8.53 in the third, 4.76 in the fourth and 7.36 in the fifth.

Severino took over for Hamilton in the second inning and gave up a leadoff double to Yoán Moncada, an RBI single to Yasmani Grandal and a two-run homer to Oscar Colás. In the third, Moncada added an RBI double that gave the White Sox a 4-0 lead.

Severino issued a leadoff walk to Grandal in the fourth, and Boone went to the bullpen again.

Boone pointed to missed execution by Severino after the game; the White Sox jumped on a series of pitches in the zone.

• Moncada doubled on an 96.7 mph fastball on the inner half the plate, with catcher Kyle Higashioka set up outside

• Grandal singled on an 83.8 mph slider that hung on the outer half of the plate

• Colás homered on an 82.5 mph slider than hung in the lower half of the zone

“It’s obviously tough, and Sevy’s feeling it,” Boone said.

“I know the real Sevy, and he’s usually a dominant pitcher,” Higashioka said. “I wish I knew the answer, because I just want more than anything for him to get back to being himself.’

Hamilton was pulled after only one inning, despite throwing 10 pitches and Thursday being an off-day for the club. Boone didn’t want to bring Severino in mid-inning and wanted to keep Hamilton in play to open Friday’s game against the Marlins. The Yankees have not yet announced a starter for that contest.

What happens with Severino’s next turn in the rotation is another question. Boone said pregame that he hopes Severino can be an impact guy and that he expects it to come as a starter.

“We’ve got to continue to discuss all options, as well as work alongside him and try to get him right,” Boone said postgame. “You still see the glimpses of it in there, but we’ve got to keep exploring things.”

“Right now, I’m willing to do anything to get better,” Severino said. “I love being a starter, but right now, this year has not been working. I’m going to keep working, keep trying to get better.

“This team is trying different ways to get wins, to keep me out there, to get me rolling.”

The Yankees had another down night offensively, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position while leaving six on base.

They dropped the three-game series to the White Sox, and with Wednesday’s loss fell to 59-56 and 5 1/2 games back of the AL’s final Wild Card spot. Next up: a three-game set in Miami against the Marlins, and then three against the Braves, who currently hold the best record in baseball.

“Every game is important,” Aaron Judge said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s April or August 9. Every game is important, and we know that. There’s a sense of urgency, and that’s why we’ve got to keep showing up every single day.

“We lost this series, a big series. Next series we’ve got isn’t going to be any easier. We’ve got to keep showing up and we’ll be where we want to be.”