Patience, power work for Gallo

CHICAGO — For Joey Gallo, patience paid off. The Yankees left fielder came up with two outs in the second inning on Sunday and just let Michael Kopech get himself in trouble. Gallo drew a walk, the first blow in what would become a weird, three-run, one-hit, four-walk inning.

Kopech gave a two-out walk to Gallo and Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled. The White Sox right-hander walked Jose Trevino to load the bases and then walked Aaron Hicks in a seven-pitch at-bat to bring in the first run. He walked DJ LeMahieu to bring in the second and then Trevino scored on a wild pitch.

In the ninth inning, Gallo drove in two with his fifth home run of the season.

“I feel good. I felt pretty good all year, but I’m getting some results now, which is good,” Gallo said. “That (second inning) was a big inning for us and I think that’s what’s important about walks is they’re not as valued, but they can start something like that.

Gallo came to the Yanks as a power hitter with an eye for drawing walks. He’s struggled since coming from the Rangers last season in a deadline deal. This year, the power has just started to show itself and the 15 walks have been overshadowed by 37 strikeouts.

Through 31 games this season, Gallo is hitting .202/.317/.382 with a .699 OPS and seven RBI.

Aaron Boone, however, sees the slugger getting closer to where he needs to be.

POSSIBLE SURGERY

Ben Rortvedt, the catcher the Yankees acquired in the trade for Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson, could be looking at surgery for his knee injury. He will be looked at by team doctors this week.

LOCASTRO ON TRACK

Tim Locastro, who suffered a strained lat muscle on the last road trip, is making steady progress, Boone said.

“He’s actually doing pretty well, especially considering the injury. I mean it’s one of those things that if he plays through it, it could end up really hurting him and cost the rest of the year. So I think right now, it’s hopefully, it’s just a couple more weeks,” Boone said.

GERMAN UPDATE

Domingo German, who began the season on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement, will face live hitters for the first time this week.

“I don’t know if it’s tomorrow or not. But it is this week. He’s scheduled for live batting practice,” Boone said. “So he’s doing well and progressing.”

Boone said that the Yankees will build German up to where he could potentially make a start(50 to 60 pitches) so they “have that option.”