Clarke Schmidt had his best game yet, pitching eight innings without allowing any runs. Anthony Volpe set the tone with a home run in the first inning, helping the Yankees score three runs. They clinched a 5-0 win against the Minnesota Twins, completing a sweep.
Schmidt, now with a 5-1 record, gave up only a double and two singles, striking out eight batters without issuing a walk. This was his third straight win. Although he wished to pitch the ninth inning, he understood why he was taken out after throwing a career-high 103 pitches.
“I’m glad he let me play for as long as he did,” said Schmidt, who has consistently performed well this season, allowing three runs or fewer in each of his nine starts.
His ERA dropped from 2.95 to 2.49 after this game. Schmidt’s previous record was pitching 6 2/3 innings, achieved in his last game against Tampa Bay.
Manager Aaron Boone praised Schmidt’s skill in executing pitches effectively, emphasizing his control over the entire range of his pitches.
Gleyber Torres contributed with two doubles and an RBI, while Anthony Rizzo, Austin Wells, and Alex Verdugo also added RBIs. With this victory, the Yankees improved their record to 30-15 and are currently second in the major leagues, just behind Philadelphia.
Aaron Judge continued his impressive streak, hitting two more powerful doubles and finishing the game with a 2-for-3 performance alongside a walk. This followed his outstanding 4-for-4 performance with a walk in the previous game. His contributions were significant, especially considering the Twins’ struggles.
They had won six consecutive series but faced a crushing defeat against the Yankees, being outscored 14-1 and out hit 35-14 over the series.
Manager Rocco Baldelli expressed surprise at his team’s performance, highlighting the stark difference from their usual gameplay.
The Yankees’ pitching was outstanding, with the Twins failing to score a single run after Ryan Jeffers’ leadoff homer on Tuesday. Aaron Judge commended his team’s effort, emphasizing the enjoyment of witnessing their performance.
Judge’s hits were impressive, with even his outs being powerful. One of his hits, a long fly to center, traveled 409 feet to the warning track, which would have been a home run in the majority of ballparks according to MLB Statcast.
Twins shortstop Carlos Correa acknowledged the unpredictable nature of baseball, noting how a team can quickly transition from success to struggle within a few days. He emphasized the importance of moving forward despite setbacks.
