New York Yankees 4 – Minnesota Twins 7
After ensuring the series win, the Yankees looked to complete the rare four-game sweep in Minnesota.
Following a scoreless first inning between Nathan Eovaldi and Ervin Santana, the Yankees got it going with a bang in the second inning. In an 0-for-15 skid, Brian McCann snapped it with a solo home run to give the Yankees the early 1-0 lead.
In the fourth Brett Gardner led off with a double and came around to score on a bloop single to left center field to put the Yankees ahead by two.
Nathan Eovaldi allowed a one-out single in the third inning but retired the next five in a row until he started to struggle in the fifth inning. Max Kepler has been a pain in the side of the Yankees during this four-game series and he struck again with a solo home run to right field, cutting the deficit in half. In the sixth inning, Brian Dozier and Trevor Plouffe led off with a pair of singles and they came around to score on a broken-bat triple by Eduardo Escobar on the right field line. Plouffe was initially called out but instant replay reversed the call, putting the Twins ahead by one run and ending Eovaldi’s day on the mound. Max Kepler greeted Dellin Betances with a run-scoring single and Kurt Suzuki laced a run-scoring double to left field in a four-run sixth inning.
In 5 1/3 innings, Nathan Eovaldi allowed four runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Eovaldi continues to struggle as he has surrendered at least four runs in his last four starts.
The Twins added a run on a Brian Dozier solo home run in the seventh inning against Kirby Yates. Another run scored in the eighth inning when Nick Goody gave up a run-scoring single to Danny Santana.
The Yankees missed an opportunity in the eighth inning when the Twins committed two fielding errors but only brought one run across the plate. In the ninth inning, Brian McCann added another home run to his day but the Yankees fell short by three runs in the series finale at Minnesota.
Win – Ervin Santana (2-7)
Loss – Nathan Eovaldi (6-4)
Save – Brandon Kintzler (2)
Notables
Yankees
*Brian McCann – 3 for 4, 2 R, Two solo home runs (10) in the 2nd & 9th, 2 RBI (29)
*Brett Gardner – 2 for 4, R
Twins
*Max Kepler – 3 for 4, 3 R, 2B, Solo home run (2) in the 5th, 2 RBI (9)
*Eduardo Escobar – 1 for 4, R, 3B, 2 RBI (15)
Current Yankees Record: 34-35
