New York Yankees sneak by Minnesota Twins
The New York Yankees were able to squeeze out a close 6-4 victory on the road against the Minnesota Twins in Target Field in Minneapolis on Wednesday night. Yankee’s starter C.C. Sabathia got the visitors and Mario Rivera got the save, while Jesse Crain
was forced to take the loss for the Twins.
The Twins were able to get on the board first with a home run from Michael Cuddyer in the bottom of the second inning, driving in Jim Thome who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning.
In the third inning Orlando Hudson put on an impressive base-running display. The veteran earned himself a base hit, singling to left field. The speedy infielder then advanced to third base off a Joe Mauer infield hit. Finally he was able to get home off
a wild pitch, beating out the lumbering Sabathia to the home-plate.
However, the Yankees found their game in the sixth inning, which started with Mark Teixeira doubling to deep left field. Teixeira was then able to advance to third on a wild pitch. Francisco Liriano then walked Alex Rodriguez, setting up runners on the corners
for Robinson Cano, who singled to right, driving in Texeira and advancing A-Rod to second. The visitors kept the pressure on, as Jorge Posada singled to right, driving in Rodriguez to cut the Twins lead to 3-2. Finally Curtis Granderson sliced a triple to
deep right-centre, which drove in Cano and Posada to give the Yanks their first lead of the game, 4-3.
The Twins were able to answer back in the sixth inning, due to poor pitching from Sabathia. The Yankee starter walked Thome and then allowed a double off Cuddyer. Sabathia then proceeded to walk both Jason Kubel and Danny Valencia, forcing in the tying run.
Nevertheless, the Yankees wasted no time answering back, as Teixeira hit a two-run home run to right field, driving in Nick Swisher and giving the visitors a 6-4 lead in the seventh inning.
The Twins attempted to get back into the game. However, they were unable to battle past great Yankee relievers.
With the win the Yankees were able to take a 1-0 lead in the series, stealing the opener on the road.
The Yankees win can be attributed to their relief staff, as the club’s relievers simply outplayed those of the Twins. Sabathia did not put together an impressive outing on Wednesday night, but was aided by the superb pitching of Boone Logan, David Robertson,
Kerry Wood and Rivera.
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