The Yanks dropped a back-and-forth affair in Chicago last night, losing 6-5 to the White Sox in 11 innings. Fortunately for the Bombers, the Red Sox couldn't hold off the Royals, so the Yanks' lead in the A.L. East race remains at 2 games.

The Yankees jumped ahead early with an RBI single by Bobby Abreu in the 1st and a solo shot by Craig Wilson in the 2nd to put the Yankees up 2-0. The White Sox scored three runs in the 2nd, highlighted by a two-run single by Alex Cintron. A-Rod countered in the next inning with a two-run homer to put the Yanks back ahead, only to see Joe Crede tie the game in the 4th with a solo homer of his own. The score would remain tied at 4 until the 8th, when Jason Giambi was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to put New York up by a run. The White Sox tied the game at 5 in the 9th with a home run off the bat of Paul Konerko, slapping Mariano Rivera with his 3rd blown save of the season. Scott Proctor worked an ineffective 11th, recording only one out before allowing a walk-off single to Jermaine Dye.

Chien-Ming Wang struggled throughout the game, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits in only 5 innings. Robinson Cano was great in his return, going 3-5 and making a great relay throw to rob Scott Podsednik of a triple, although Podsednik was probably safe. Bobby Abreu was great yet again, recording another two hits and Craig Wilson hit his first home run as a Yankee. The bullpen was phenominal until the homer off Rivera in the 9th, but hey, he's not going to get 'em every time, just like the Red Sox aren't going to beat the Royals every time.

The Yanks will try to even this series at a game apiece tonight as they'll send out Randy Johnson to face Jon Garland. People want to talk about Johnson's record being masked behind big run support, and Garland's record is 12-3 with an E.R.A. of 4.99 and a BAA of .298. Game starts at 8 E.T. and can be seen on ESPN for those of you not in the NY market.