Yankees Blast Twins Out Of Town
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |  | R | H | E | |
| Minnesota | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 1 | |
| NY Yankees | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | X | 7 | 13 | 0 |
WP - Pettitte (4-1) SV - Coke (1) LP - Perkins (1-3)
Monday night’s finale of the four game series between the Yankees and Minnesota Twins was not without it’s 9th inning drama, but unlike it’s three predecessors, this game ended with the Yankees on the field. The Bombers lived up to their name and used a 6-run 1st inning to beat the Twins 7-6 and extended their season high winning streak to six games.
The Twins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning on RBI singles by the Twin killers, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. But the Yankees got winning pitcher Andy Pettitte immediately off the hook when it was their turn to bat. Batting from the right side, Mark Teixeira followed singles by Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon with a long 3-run home run to left field off starter Glen Perkins. Alex Rodriguez followed with his own shot to left for back to back home runs and a 4-2 lead. It was the third straight game in which A-Rod homered.
Perkins retired Nick Swisher on a fly to deep left for the first out of the inning, but Robinson Cano reached on a ground rule double and scored on a Melky Cabrera single. The Melkman moved to second base on a passed ball and two batters later scored on Francisco Cervelli’s seeing eye base hit back through the box. Down 6-2, Perkins night ended after just two-thirds of an inning. It was his shortest stint of the season.
The Twins cut the lead in half against Pettitte with single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, including a solo home run by Michael Cuddyer, and chased the Yankee left-hander in the 7th. Jose Veras came on with two on and two out and promptly walked Cuddyer to load the bases. But the erratic right-hander got Carlos Gomez to fly out to Cabrera in center to end the inning.
Teixeira’s second home run of the game, a high and deep drive to right, came from the left side of the plate and gave the Yankees a 7-4 lead after seven. The Yankees would need the extra run since closer Mariano Rivera was unavailable after pitching three straight days.
Denard Span homered off Edwar Ramirez in the 8th and the Twins put the tying run on first with two outs. Joe Girardi sent for Phil Coke to face Morneau, who had homered off of him on Saturday. This time out, Coke was able to celebrate with a fist pump after he struck out the Twins’ slugger. With Rivera watching,Girardi left the game in Coke’s hands in the 9th and the lefty had to work out of his own jam.
Coke walked Joe Crede to start the inning and promptly threw a wild pitch that allowed pinch-runner Matt Tolbert to move into scoring position. A couple of ground outs brought Tolbert home and it was suddenly just a one run ball game. Coke added more drama to the mix by issung a walk to Gomez, the Twins’ top threat to steal. But after pinch-hitter Mike Redmond fouled off several 3-2 pitches, Coke picked up his first career save by getting Redmond to bounce out to Cano to end the game.
Game Notes
It was Mark Teixeira’s second multiple home run game of the season. In both instances he has hit one home run from each side of the plate.
Brett Gardner sat out with a bruised shoulder, suffered when he tried to score from second base on Francisco Cervelli’s infield single on Sunday. He may miss tomorrow’s series opener with Baltimore as well.
Brian Bruney felt good after a rehab appearance for Scranton on Sunday and is expected to be activated in time for Tuesday night’s game with the Orioles.
Alex Rodriguez‘ home run was his 212th as a Yankee, moving him ahead of Derek Jeter for 10th place on the all-time franchise home run list. It was also A-Rod’s 557th all-time, putting him six behind Reggie Jackson, who celebrated his 63rd birthday on Monday, for 11th place on the all-time major league home run list.
Ron Gardenhire probably ran out of Yankee Stadium when the game was over. The Twins have lost 24 of the last 27 meetings in the Bronx.
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