White Sox fall in extras to Yankees

May 24, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher John Danks (50) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at U.S Cellular Field. New York won 4-3 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

If there was ever a gift given to the New York Yankees, it was hand-delivered, gift wrapped and tied with a bow Saturday with the Yankees defeating the White Sox, 4-3 in 10 innings.

The White Sox led 3-0 at the start of the ninth, but the Yankees forced extras with three runs in the inning, all off the pitching of Ronald Belisario, who has been forced into a closer role.

Belisario isn’t an actual closer, but the White Sox have no other options at closer with Matt Lindstrom out for the next three months.

It showed.

It showed as Robin Ventura stuck with Belisario in the ninth when it was evident he wasn’t getting the save.

All four of the Yankees’ runs were scored in the ninth and 10th innings, with Belisario having his second blown save of the season and the loss going to Zach Putnam.

New York won off a Jacoby Elisbury home run to right field in the top of the 10th with two outs.

John Danks pitched the first eight innings for the White Sox in what I believe was his best game of the season. Danks allowed no runs and walked none, allowing just three hits. He struck out four in the no-decision.

Adam Eaton and Gordon Beckham each had three hits for the White Sox, while Marcus Semien had two hits.

RBIs went to Dayan Viciedo, Alexei Ramirez and Adam Dunn.

One thing about this team they need to fix really fast is the closer situation. Belisaro is a fine pitcher in the middle of the bullpen and even as a setup man, but as a closer, that’s just not the spot where he belongs.

The problem is there really isn’t a pitcher in the bullpen that is consistent enough to be the closer for the White Sox right now, and maybe they need to look away from the franchise for a fix.

Thoughts?

Tomorrow the White Sox will go for the series win.

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