The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Hicks, Castro lead Yankees past Cubs
CHICAGO >> Aaron Hicks tied a career high with four hits, Starlin Castro homered and drove in three runs against his former team, and the New York Yankees pounded Brett Anderson and the Chicago Cubs 11-6 on Saturday night.
Hicks connected for a three-run homer in the eighth inning as the AL East leaders (19-9) earned their fourth straight win, extending their surprising start. Jordan Montgomery (2-1) pitched into the seventh for his first road win in his fifth major league start.
Castro, a three-time AllStar with the Cubs before he was traded to the Yankees in December 2015, hit an RBI double in New York’s five-run first. He drove a 3-1 pitch from reliever Felix Pena deep into the bleachers in left for a two-run shot in the fourth, giving the Yankees an 8-0 lead.
Castro finished with three hits in his fifth straight multihit game, running his ALbest batting average to .381. Hicks has 10 hits in his last 20 at-bats.
Anderson (2-2) allowed hits to six of his first seven batters before he was pulled with one out in the first with lower back tightness. He also committed a throwing error that brought in a run.
There were a few boos from the crowd of 40,735 as the left-hander walked off the mound with a trainer.
Anderson has recorded just five outs over his last two starts, allowing 12 runs and 13 hits. The inconsistent performance by Chicago’s rotation so far this season led to a costly move right before the game, with the World Series champions designating reserve outfielder Matt Szczur for assignment to make room for another reliever.
Rob Zastryzny, who was promoted from Triple-A Iowa, pitched four innings, but Szczur likely is headed for a new team. He was drafted by the Cubs in 2010 and made his major league debut in 2014.
The move underscored manager Joe Maddon’s concern about the stress on his bullpen. He also had backup catcher Miguel Montero work the ninth in his first pitching appearance since July 3 and the second of his career.
Montero threw one near the head of Chris Carter, patting his chest to acknowledge his mistake as he took a few steps toward the plate.