Will Warren allows Yankees homers to stand for win over Cubs in timely trade deadline start

CHICAGO – The Yankees scored a point – two of them, in fact.And while they came on just two swings, solo blasts from Amed Rosario and Spencer Jones, they were enough to stand up for a win because of Will Warren.Turning in his best start in months, Warren delivered 6 2/3 shutout innings against one of the majors’ most dangerous lineups to become the latest Yankees starter to lift up his offense in a 2-0 win over the Cubs on a drizzly Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field.Warren, who could be a trade candidate ahead of Monday’s deadline if the Yankees choose to deal from an area of depth to address an area of need, scattered just four hits and no walks while striking out seven.The right-hander had struggled for most of the last two months, but turned in a timely outing for the Yankees – on the field and potentially off of it, too, depending on trade talks.After the Yankees (62-48) had lost 2-1 against the White Sox in 11 innings on Thursday afternoon, a ticked-off Aaron Boone stated the obvious: “We got to score a freaking point.” And for much of Friday, that remained a struggle, but the Yankees did enough against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga to make sure they did not waste another sterling starting pitching performance, which they had in their last two games.Facing a Cubs lineup that entered the day second in the majors in runs scored per game and third in OPS, Warren retired 12 straight into the seventh inning before giving up a two-out bloop single to Alex Bregman.

Ian Happ followed with a hard single through the right side, at which point Boone called on Paul Blackburn from the bullpen.Blackburn, who has been mostly terrific but blew a 4-1 lead on Wednesday night, bounced back by stranding both runners in the seventh and then striking out the side in the eighth.David Bednar, who had been unavailable the last two days because of a heavy workload of late, finished off the Cubs (62-48) in the ninth for his 23rd save of the year.This was Warren’s first time p...