Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) – CC Sabathia earned his AL-leading 15th win with 8 2/3 solid innings, as the New York Yankees held on to beat the Kansas City Royals, 4-3, in the first of four games at Kauffman Stadium.
Sabathia (15-5) equaled Tampa Bay’s David Price in the win column after allowing three runs on 10 hits and two walks while fanning three for the Yankees, who moved two games ahead of the idle Rays for the AL East lead.
David Robertson came in and allowed two inherited runners to score and the tying run to reach third before finally recording the final out for his first save of the season and second of his career.
Austin Kearns hit his first home run in a Yankee uniform, while Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira each drove in a run in the victory despite going a combined 0-for-9.
Willie Bloomquist drove in two runs, while Mike Aviles had two hits and an RBI for the Royals, losers in five straight. Bruce Chen (7-6) allowed three runs, eight hits and two walks in a five-plus inning start to receive the loss.