Late Rally Fails As Kuroda Takes Another Loss

CHICAGO -- Since the beginning of July, hiroki Kuroda has been the best starter that the New York Yankees have been running out on the field. As the rest of the rotation, apart from Ivan Nova, has struggled, Kuroda has stood strong, leading the way.

But facing-off against one of the league's most dominant pitcher, Chris sale, Kuroda came up on the short end after giving up three runs in seven innings, while the Yankees were only able to put one run on the board in a 3-2 loss to the White Sox.

"[The White Sox] had some hits with runners in scoring position, and that was probably the difference in the game," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "[Kuroda] gave up three runs in seven innings. I mean, usually, you'll sign up for that. … He has pitched extremely well, and he should have a lot more than 10 wins."

The Yankees drew first blood when Alfonso Soriano became the first player to touch home plate after scoring from second base on a wild pitch from Sale bounced away from White Sox catcher Josh Phegley.

From there, the White Sox would do most of the scoring, tying the game in the 4th on a RBI single by Conor Gillaspie, then scoring a big go ahead run in the 6th off Kuroda on a fielder's choice that Paul Konerko narrowly beat out at first base.

Chicago added another run in the 7th off Kuroda, when Alejandro De Aza lined a double over the head of Ichiro in right field, plating Gordon Beckham to push the White Sox lead to 3-1.

"I didn't think it was a game-decider, but at the same time, that third run -- I have to admit -- was a big run," Kuroda said. "I wanted to contribute to a win, and I couldn't do that."

Kuroda gave the Yankees seven inning, allowing three runs on nine hits, while walking one and striking out four on 116 pitches. Isn't the top of the line Kuroda that we've been seeing lately, but it was still go enough to keep them in the game.

"I wasn't really sharp out there, but I think I was able to get big outs," Kuroda said after the game.

Trailing 3-1 heading into the 9th inning, the Yankees tried to put a rally together, with Brett Gardner singling to right field with Ichiro on second base, he came around to score to pull the Yanks within one run with two outs in the innings. With A-Rod on deck, Soriano struck out to end the game.

"You always want to have an opportunity to come up with the game on the line and get a big hit for us," Rodriguez said. "I thought [Soriano] was going to get a big hit, and he looked pretty good up there."

The Yankees missed out on a run that could have helped them come much closer to a win, when in the 3rd inning, Robinson Cano singled into left field, Gardner attempted a score from second, by was called out running through the plate -- though replays seemed to disagree with the call.

"Possibly [Gardner would've been called safe if he'd slid], but possibly he's blocked out," Girardi said of the play. "It looked like Phegley was doing a pretty good job of blocking the plate. Possibly he's safe, though."

"It's a tough call," Girardi added. "The one thing I don't understand is [umpire] positioning, and I've never understood it. … I think they've got to be where the tag takes place, so I think they almost have to be in line with the right-field pole and first base and up the line a little bit at third base, where the tag is going to take place, so they can see the tag."

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