Game 125: Nova Throws 7 For #13

Following A.J. Burnett's poor outing, Ivan Nova continues to impress. Nova got his 13th win of the season and 9th win in his last 10 starts. He managed to use his slider effectively when in jams and kept the Twins off the scoreboard.

The Yankees first got their first run on a sacrifice fly from Russell Martin. The power sources of this year's Yankees showed their abilities when Curtis Granderson hit an inside-the-park home run to right field for his 35th and Mark Teixeira followed this with his 34th on a line drive to left.

Ivan Nova is 2nd on the Yankees with 13 wins and is making a very strong case to make the postseason rotation as he didn't let his demotion during the season discourage him. The demotion appears to have motivated him to improve his craft to make him the effective pitcher we see now. There's no telling what effect the postseason atmosphere will do to the nerves of this right-hander but his season showing makes it worth putting him on the mound for October baseball.

Ryan Nakada @adakannayr