Minnesota Twins 6 — New York Yankees 1
The long ball was too much for the Yankees to overcome.
After a perfect first inning, Vidal Nuno only went downhill from there. Nuno would get a pair of strikeouts in the second inning but it surrounded a solo home run by right fielder Oswaldo Arcia. In the fourth inning, left fielder Josh Willingham led off with a solo home run of his own into the Twins’ bullpen. A single would put one on for third baseman Trevor Plouffe who blasted a 2-1 pitch into center field for his fifth home run of the season and the third home run Vidal Nuno allowed tonight.
Over 6.2 innings, Vidal Nuno allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out six.
On the other side, the Yankees faced Ricky Nolasco and his 6.12 ERA. The Yankees would manufacture a run in the third inning . With Brett Gardner on base, the Yankees left fielder would steal second and advanced to third on a Jeter ground out. Jacoby Ellsbury would keep the ball fair down the right field line for a run-scoring double. His bat may be heating up again.
In the fifth and sixth inning, the Yankees made some questionable decisions on the bases.
Like the third inning, Brett Gardner reached base and stole second. Derek Jeter would hit a line drive to right field and Gardner would be held up at third base but Jeter, trying to attract the attention of the play to him, was caught off of first base. Gardner would leave home to create chaos but by the end of the heavily involved play, Gardner would be out at home and Derek Jeter would stand on third with two outs. This decision by Jeter put one runner on third with two outs instead of runners on the corners with one out.
In the sixth inning, with runners on first and second with two outs, Yangervis Solarte would hit a line drive to right field and Brian Roberts was given the sign to try and score from second. Right fielder Arcia threw a laser home and easily got Roberts out at home to end the inning and another potential run.
These were the two best opportunities to cut into the deficit against the Twins. Ricky Nolasco allowed one run despite giving up seven hits and walking four. Preston Claiborne would allow two more runs in the eighth inning to make a three-run game a five-run game and just about finishing the game.
Win – Ricky Nolasco (3-5)
Loss – Vidal Nuno (1-2)
Notables
Twins
*Trevor Plouffe – 1 for 3, 2 R, BB, 2-Run Home Run (5) in the 4th, 2 RBI (33)
*Oswaldo Arcia – 2 for 4, 2 R, Solo Home Run (2) in the 2nd, RBI (3)
Yankees
*Jacoby Ellsbury – 1 for 4, 2B, RBI (22)
*Yangervis Solarte – 2 for 4, 2B
Current Yankees Record: 28-25
