Yankees Game 66: Didi goes yard for the win

Didi Gregorius came through with the game-winning three-run home run to snap the 4-game losing streak.

New York Yankees 4 – Minnesota Twins 1

After two tough losses in Colorado, the Yankees looked for winning ways at Minnesota, against the Twins.

Kyle Gibson set the Yankees down in order, which included a strange 3-2 bunt attempt by Brett Gardner that rolled foul for strike three. CC Sabathia held the Twins off the scoreboard despite two walks in the first inning. In the second inning, the Yankees managed to get their first hit when Alex Rodriguez hit a sharp line drive into left field, unfortunately he was overzealous in his attempt at turning it into a double when he was thrown out at second. CC escaped the second inning without a run scoring with the bases loaded in the second inning and pitched a clean third but the Twins got to him in the fourth inning. After getting the first out, Max Kepler reached with a double and advanced to third on a single by Kurt Suzuki. Sabathia got the second out of the inning by striking out Byron Buxton but former Yankee Eduardo Nunez came through with a two-out single to put the Twins on the board.

The Yankees were held off the scoreboard until the sixth inning.

Didi Gregorius led off the sixth inning with a single and advanced to third on a double to right by Chase Headley. Ike Davis walked to load the bases and Jacoby Ellsbury did not let this go to waste, hitting a single to center field to tie the game, 1-1. Unfortunately a double play ended the rally in the inning.

In six innings, CC Sabathia allowed one run on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.

Kyle Gibson returned for the seventh inning and the inning began with an infield single by Alex Rodriguez. After a walk of Brian McCann, Starlin Castro sacrificed to advance Rodriguez and McCann into scoring position. With Didi Gregorius coming up, lefty Fernando Abad was called upon and on the first pitch the Yankees shortstop went deep for a tie-breaking, three-run home run into right field.

With the lead after six innings, Dellin Betances pitched a scoreless seventh inning. Andrew Miller came on in the eighth inning and set the Twins down in order. Aroldis Chapman got the ninth inning and finished the game with a strikeout at 101 MPH to snap the four-game losing streak.

Win – CC Sabathia (5-4)

Loss – Kyle Gibson (0-5)

Save – Aroldis Chapman (12)

Notables

Yankees

*Didi Gregorius – 2 for 3, 2 R, Three-run home run (6) in the 7th, 3 RBI (28)

*Alex Rodriguez – 2 for 4, R

Twins

*Eduardo Nunez – 1 for 4, BB, RBI (25)

*Max Kepler – 1 for 3, R, 2B

Current Yankees Record: 32-34