New York Yankees 7 — Minnesota Twins 3
Unlikely production shows up in tonight’s 7-3 win over the Minnesota Twins.
Phil Hughes benefited from the spacious Target Field. The Yankees struggling right-hander would trail in the third inning. Rookie outfielder Aaron Hicks led the inning off with a double and Joe Mauer would eventually single home the speedy outfielder. On the Twins side, starter Samuel Deduno was cruising.
The first time through the lineup, the Yankees beat up the infield as Deduno induced a perfect nine ground outs. The Yankees would get their first base runner and hit in the fourth inning but the score would change in the fifth.
Lyle Overbay led off with a soft infield single that rolled between the pitcher and catcher. Chris Stewart would hit a laser of a line drive that the left fielder caught. Crazy huh? Then David Adams, on an 0-for-32 skid, would get a base hit up the middle to put two on with one out for shortstop Alberto Gonzalez. The defensive shortstop would come through with a two-run double into the right field corner to plate the first two Yankees’ runs. A third run would score on a soft hit ground ball along the first base line by Ichiro Suzuki. Deduno went to field it but would not be able to come up with it, to his frustration.
The bottom of the lineup would start the seventh inning for the Yankees. With one out, David Adams hit a double to right field that outfielder Chris Parmelee had a little trouble with that allowed Adams to move to third. That Alberto Gonzalez guy would single to right field for the third run of his night. Then, after Ichiro got on base with a line drive single, Robinson Cano would hit a deep three-run home run for his 20th home run of the season.
With a 7-1 lead, Preston Claiborne was given the last two innings. After a perfect eighth inning, his ninth inning was a little tougher. Claiborne would get two outs but he would also give up two singles. Second baseman Brian Dozier hit a double to deep left field that would plate two and end Claiborne’s night one out shy of the end. Adam Warren would get the difficult job of facing Joe Mauer with one on. Warren would walk Mauer and with the lead at four and the tying run on deck, Joe Girardi turned to Mariano Rivera in an unexpected save opportunity. With two pitches, Mariano Rivera would get a simple save but it is still his 27th save of the season.
Phil Hughes had a tough fourth inning that he handled perfectly. After a walk and a double put runners in scoring position and no one out. Hughes would strikeout the next two batters and got a ground out to end the threat.
In seven innings, Phil Hughes allowed one run on six hits while striking out three.
Win – Phil Hughes (4-7)
Loss – Samuel Deduno (4-3)
Save – Mariano Rivera (27)
Notables
Yankees
*Alberto Gonzalez – 2 for 4, 2 R, 2B, 3 RBI (5)
*Robinson Cano – 2 for 4, R, 3-Run Home Run (20) in the 7th, 3 RBI (54)
Twins
*Brian Dozier – 1 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI (28)
*Joe Mauer – 1 for 4, BB, RBI (27)
Current Yankees Record: 44-39
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