Hustling Cabrera scores from second on sac fly, sparking Yanks' rally
CHICAGO -- Oswaldo Cabrera’s aggressive baserunning provided a necessary spark for the Yankees on Wednesday evening, as the infielder-outfielder scored from second base on a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning of a 10-2 win over the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
With the Yankees trailing, 2-1, Cabrera alertly tagged up as Chicago right fielder Dominic Fletcher made a terrific grab to rob Alex Verdugo of an extra-base hit near the warning track in right field, narrowly avoiding a collision with center fielder Luis Robert Jr.
As Fletcher skidded to the dirt, Cabrera sprinted toward third base, where he was waved home by third-base coach Luis Rojas. Fletcher’s throw bounced to shortstop Nicky Lopez, who tossed home too late to nab Cabrera, who slid in safely head-first.
The play marked the first occurrence of a Yankees runner scoring from second base on a sacrifice fly since Aug. 19, 2000, vs. the Angels, when Jorge Posada chugged home on a Clay Bellinger flyout in a 9-1 Bombers victory.
Cabrera figures to see increased playing time at third base with the absence of Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was placed on the injured list Wednesday with a left UCL sprain sustained on Monday evening.
Austin Wells added a two-run single later in the inning, giving the Yankees the lead.