07/08: Yanks Hold On vs. Twins
Posted by: Seamus
The Yankees held on to win a tight game in which they led almost the entire way, as a 4–3 victory over the Twins helped keep the Yanks within one game of Boston in the A.L. East. The Yankees have now won five straight series and have won 12 of 14 games overall.
The Yankees went jumped ahead in the top of the 2nd with three runs off of Anthony Swarzak, who started for the Twins in place of a sick Glen Perkins. A wild pitch by A.J. Burnett in the bottom of the inning followed by an RBI double from Joe Mauer brought the Twins within 3–2. A-Rod made it 4–2 with an RBI single in the 5th.
A.J. Burnett was pulled with one out in the 7th (6.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 K) and two lefties due up to bat. Joe Girardi went to Phil Coke, who entered the game and immediately served up a solo home run to Joe Mauer. After striking out Justin Morneau, Girardi went to Phil Hughes.
Hughes recorded three outs and allowed one hit, and Girardi went to Mariano Rivera with two outs in the 8th. Rivera retired all four batters he faced en route to recording his 22nd save of the season. The declining Rivera struck out one batter, and now has 43 strikeouts on the season compared to just 3 walks (a 14.33 K/BB ratio).
For the fourth straight series, the Yankees will be heading into the final game attempting to complete a sweep, and they will send Alfredo Aceves to the mound to make his first start of the season. No official word yet on who the Twins' starter will be, but it will most likely be Francisco Liriano (thanks to Patrick for helping me out with this). Tomorrow night will also be the last time the Yankees play in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, provided the two teams don't meet in the postseason. Game starts at 8:10 ET.
Recap records: Patrick: 24–12, Seamus: 20–15, Andrew: 6–7
EDIT: I just realized a major goof I made. Thursday's game began at 1:10 ET. I apologize for the error.
The Yankees went jumped ahead in the top of the 2nd with three runs off of Anthony Swarzak, who started for the Twins in place of a sick Glen Perkins. A wild pitch by A.J. Burnett in the bottom of the inning followed by an RBI double from Joe Mauer brought the Twins within 3–2. A-Rod made it 4–2 with an RBI single in the 5th.
A.J. Burnett was pulled with one out in the 7th (6.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 K) and two lefties due up to bat. Joe Girardi went to Phil Coke, who entered the game and immediately served up a solo home run to Joe Mauer. After striking out Justin Morneau, Girardi went to Phil Hughes.
Hughes recorded three outs and allowed one hit, and Girardi went to Mariano Rivera with two outs in the 8th. Rivera retired all four batters he faced en route to recording his 22nd save of the season. The declining Rivera struck out one batter, and now has 43 strikeouts on the season compared to just 3 walks (a 14.33 K/BB ratio).
For the fourth straight series, the Yankees will be heading into the final game attempting to complete a sweep, and they will send Alfredo Aceves to the mound to make his first start of the season. No official word yet on who the Twins' starter will be, but it will most likely be Francisco Liriano (thanks to Patrick for helping me out with this). Tomorrow night will also be the last time the Yankees play in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, provided the two teams don't meet in the postseason. Game starts at 8:10 ET.
Recap records: Patrick: 24–12, Seamus: 20–15, Andrew: 6–7
EDIT: I just realized a major goof I made. Thursday's game began at 1:10 ET. I apologize for the error.
