CC Sabathia wasn’t as sharp as he was in his last start against Seattle but he was still able to pick up his sixteenth win of the season and the Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox, 3-2.

Sabathia actually gave up ten hits but only allowed two runs – limiting the damage in a couple of innings with timely double plays and inning ending strike outs. He lasted eight innings, didn’t walk a batter and struck out six.

He is the first pitcher to reach sixteen wins and has now won nine out of his last ten games. His lone loss in that span was a tough luck loss against Tampa on July 21. He only gave up two runs in that start and pitched eight innings with eight strikeouts.

Brett Gardner got things going early for the Yankees with a lead off single. Curtis Granderson followed with a double which scored Gardner all the way from first. After Mark Teixeira flied out to left, Robinson Cano stepped in and hit an RBI single scoring Granderson and giving Sabathia an early 2-0 cushion.

The Yankees would add a run in the top of the third when Cano grounded into a double play with runners on third and no outs. Granderson was able to score from third.

In the bottom of the fourth, Juan Pierre singled for Chicago and Alexei Ramirez followed with a home run to left, cutting the score to 3-2. That’s all Chicago would get.

On the other side of things, Chicago’s starter, Jake Peavy settled down after giving up three runs to the Yankees in the early going. Even though he got the loss, the White Sox have to be encouraged by the fact that Peavy lasted seven innings. He gave up eight hits and struck out four.

Mariano Rivera came in and pitched a hitless, scoreless ninth to pick up his 28th save of the season for the Yankees who are now 65-42. Thanks to a 9-6 win by the Indians over the Red Sox, the Yankees are now only one game behind the Boston in the AL East standings.

Tomorrow’s game is a big one for starter Phil Hughes (1-3, 8.24 ERA). It may determine whether or not he stays in the rotation or moves to the bullpen. He will face John Danks (4-8, 3.79 ERA).

The Yankees landed in Chicago last night to gear up for a four game set against the White Sox. So far the two teams have already played four times this season – in the Bronx – and they’ve split those games. The Yankees outscored the White Sox 17-9 in that series, but the White Sox out-hit the Yankees, 31-26.

CC Sabathia is going for his 16th win of the season tonight. He’s 17-4 lifetime against the White Sox with a 3.68 ERA in 30 starts.

He is facing Jake Peavy whose last win came in relief on June 25. He has not faced the Yankees this year but has lost twice in his career to New York, allowing 10 runs in four of those innings.

Mark Teixeira had a great homestand, finishing 13-for-39 with four home runs and Nick Swisher also enjoyed feasting on Oakland, Seattle and Baltimore pitching by going 15-for-36 with three homers. He has nine homers and 35 RBI in his last 39 games and has raised his batting average 57 points since June 4 to .270.

It looks like Brett Gardner’s torrid post All Star Game pace has slowed down, he has only seven hits in his last 38 at-bats.

Derek Jeter is day-to-day after leaving yesterday’s game an inning after he was hit by a pitch. He was hit on the knuckles of his right hand and said after the game he “just had problems gripping, which can affect throwing or swinging.” Thankfully, X-rays were negative and he was diagnosed with a bruised right middle finger.

And it looks like Jeter isn’t the only big name player who got hit with a pitch in the fourth inning of yesterday’s game. Chicagos’s Paul Konerko is doubtful for tonight’s game with a bruise in his left calf. He is a .315 hitter with 20 home runs and 60 RBIs in his career against the Yanks but is only a .224 hitter against Sabathia.

The White Sox are coming off a series loss to the Red Sox. They lost the series finale 5-3 yesterday. Jesse Crain (5-3) took the loss in relief. Mark Buehrle started the contest and went six innings. He allowed two runs on five hits and three walks. It was Chicago’s third loss in five games.

Chicago is 4-10 in their last 14 games against the Yankees.

More White Sox Notes:

• Juan Pierre is hitting .345 in his last 28 games
• Brent Morel has five hits in his last 10 at-bats
• Carlos Quentin is 4-for-22 on the Sox’s homestand

Outfielder Alex Rios is 3-for-23 in his last six games and has been a problem for the White Sox of late. He was actually benched for his lackadaisical play. He returned to the lineup this weekend against the Red Sox and things didn’t get much better for him. Manager Ozzie Guillen had this to say about Rios, “I told him, ‘Why let this game bother you? Why not have a little more fun playing the game?’ Every at-bat is killing him. You’re digging yourself a hole, and on top of that, it’s not healthy. Your ability will take over. It’s in his hands, how much playing time he’ll get.”

Pitching Matchups

Tonight: 8:10 p.m., LHP CC Sabathia (15-5, 2.56) vs. RHP Jake Peavy (4-4, 5.27)

Tuesday: 8:10 p.m., RHP Phil Hughes (1-3, 8.24) vs. LHP John Danks (4-8, 3.79)

Wednesday: 8:10 p.m., RHP A.J. Burnett (8-9, 4.23) vs. RHP Gavin Floyd (9-9, 3.96)

Thursday: 8:10 p.m., RHP Ivan Nova (9-4, 4.01)* vs. RHP Philip Humber (8-7, 3.44)

*Bartolo Colon will now be pitching in the Boston series

Visit South Side Hit Girl for the White Sox take on things.

Good morning Yankees fans! It’s Monday August 1, 2011 and this is the rundown.

The Yankees finished their ten game homestand by winning the last three games against Baltimore and ended up with a 7-3 record. Freddy Garcia won his tenth game of the season.

They are now heading to Chicago for a four game set against the White Sox and then head to Boston for a weekend set at Fenway.

The other big news was that the Yankees didn’t make any moves before the trade deadline passed. It’s the the first time since 1999.

Brian Cashman spoke to the media following yesterday’s game and explained why no moves were made.

“I just feel like we’re a lot deeper. I’m willing, by the position I’ve taken in the last three weeks, to rely on that than go out and pay an enormous price on something that I’m not certain what it’s going to provide.

He also added, “We have one of the premier rosters in the game right now.”

The Yankees still have time to make a move before the waiver deadline on August 31st but it’s highly unlikely that any impact players will be available.

Tonight’s starters are CC Sabathia (15-5, 2.56 ERA) and Jake Peavy (4-4, 5.26 ERA)

Sabathia’s last start was a 4-1 victory over Seattle in which he pitched seven innings and struck out fourteen batters. He’s 8-2 in his last ten starts and has 156 strike outs in 168.2 innings pitched this season.

Peavy is the White Sox’s version of AJ Burnett, meaning he went winless in July. His last start on July 26 was a no decision but Chicago ended up losing the game 5-4 to the Tigers. Peavy’s last win came on June 25 when he pitched out of the bullpen against the Nationals.

A Minor Glance

Scranton lost to Rochester 6-3

Trenton lost to Richmond 5-0

Tampa were also shut out by Charlotte 7-0

Charleston lost to Greenville 5-3

Staten Island defeated Jamestown 11-5