Stanton's rare slam powers Yankees to sweep of White Sox

[August 09, 2018]    Giancarlo Stanton hit his first grand slam in over four years, Luis Severino settled down after a shaky start to become the first 15-game winner in the American League, and the New York Yankees beat the host Chicago White Sox 7-3 Wednesday night to finish a three-game sweep.

Yankees left fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) runs the bases after hitting a grand slam home run against Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (27) during the second inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Stanton gave the Yankees a 6-2 lead when he hooked a full-count fastball by Lucas Giolito (7-9) just inside the foul pole and into the right field seats with one out in the second. It was his sixth career grand slam and first since a walk-off grand slam against Seattle's Yoervis Medina on April 18, 2014.

Stanton started his decisive at-bat by taking two fastballs and a changeup to get ahead 3-0. He fouled off consecutive fastballs and then capped the at-bat with the 367-foot drive.

It was Stanton's 27th homer of the season, and it marked the third time he homered in consecutive games this year. It also was New York's fourth grand slam this season, equaling its total from last year.

Winless in his previous four starts since July 7 at Toronto, Severino (15-5) allowed two of his three runs in the first inning and seven hits in seven innings. The right-hander struck out eight without a walk and threw 73 of 109 pitches for strikes.

After going 0-3 with a 9.45 ERA since his last win, Severino joined Washington ace Max Scherzer as the second 15-game winner in the majors.

Severino retired 11 straight after allowing Daniel Palka's RBI single in the first. The streak ended when Tim Anderson opened the fifth with his 15th homer, but Severino struck out the next two hitters, and catcher Austin Romine threw out Yoan Moncada attempting to steal second.

Chad Green walked Jose Abreu and allowed a two-out single to Palka but struck out Avisail Garcia looking on a 98 mph fastball to end the eighth. Jonathan Holder pitched a scoreless ninth as the Yankees completed their fifth three-game sweep this season.

Romine and Shane Robinson preceded Stanton's homer with RBI singles while Aaron Hicks hit his 19th homer in the fifth as the Yankees capped a 3-4 road trip.

Jose Abreu, who drove in all three Chicago runs Tuesday, had an RBI double, but the White Sox were swept at home by the Yankees for the first time since May 2002.

Giolito allowed seven runs and six hits in five innings, walking three and striking out seven.

--Field Level Media

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