Giancarlo Stanton hit a home run and Carlos Rodón bounced back from a rough start, pitching six-plus solid innings as the New York Yankees defeated the Minnesota Twins 5-1 on Tuesday night.
Alex Verdugo contributed a two-run double for New York, which has been performing well lately, winning nine of its last 12 games. The Yankees have historically done well in Minnesota, boasting a strong record of 29 wins and 15 losses at Target Field, the highest winning percentage of any visiting team at the ballpark.
Despite giving up a leadoff home run to Ryan Jeffers in the first inning and allowing three hits in the opening frame, Rodón settled down and didn’t walk any batters. He finished with six strikeouts before being taken out of the game after giving up a leadoff single to Carlos Santana in the seventh inning. The veteran left-hander retired 11 consecutive batters before Santana’s hit.
“It was a bit rough at the start, but I had to focus and lock in,” Rodón commented. Rodón has been consistent this season, allowing two runs or fewer in seven of his 10 starts.
Ian Hamilton replaced Rodón and allowed a pinch-hit single, but managed to leave runners stranded. He pitched two scoreless innings, and Clay Holmes closed out the game with a flawless ninth inning.
“That’s the Ian we’re familiar with, showing good movement on his sinker and four-seam fastball, often getting ahead in the count early. He was able to effectively handle hitters, either striking them out or inducing weak contact,” remarked Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “I thought Ian’s performance today was one of his best in recent outings, so that was really encouraging to see.”
Twins pitcher Chris Paddack, who had been on a three-game winning streak, struggled, giving up a career-high 12 hits and five runs over five innings. This loss marked only the fourth defeat in 21 games for Minnesota.
“We need to tighten up our game,” noted Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, addressing some defensive lapses, particularly in the outfield. “Today wasn’t one of our best defensively. We made a few mental errors, something we haven’t seen much of this season. I don’t expect this to continue. Tomorrow, we have to be sharper defensively.”
The Yankees bounced back after an early deficit, scoring twice in the second inning with a sacrifice fly by Oswaldo Cabrera and an RBI double by Anthony Volpe. Giancarlo Stanton then added to the lead with his ninth home run of the season, a powerful shot into the Twins’ bullpen in left-center field, traveling 427 feet with an exit velocity of 114 mph.
