Joe Girardi's decision to go closer by committee cost the Yankees a ninth innning lead in a 4-3 loss to the White Sox on Thursday night in the Bronx.

Girardi opted not to got with Rafeal Soriano, instead tapping Cody Eppley, who allowed a single to the only batter he faced in the ninth before Clay Rapada induced a come-backer from Eduardo Escobar. But Rapada threw the potential double-play ball into center field, setting up a first and third with no outs. The Yankee manager went with Davide Robertson (0-2), who promptly gave up a three-run shot to Dayan Viciedo, turning a 3-1 lead into a 4-3 deficit.

For Robertson it was his second blown save in three attempts.

Addison Reed worked a scoreless ninth to notch his 11th save for the AL Central leading White Sox.

Starter Ivan Nova allowed one run on six hits over 6.1 innings.

Trailing 1-0 in the fifth, the Yankees took control with back-to-back RBI doubles from Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano, before Mark Teixeira smacked his 13th homer to put the Yankees ahead 3-1.

Derek Jeter went 1 for 5, tying Cal Ripken Jr. for 13th on the all-time hits list with 3,184.

The Yanks and White Sox continue their series on Friday night with Adam Warren making his first big league start against Chicago's Jose Quintana.

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