Aaron Judge hit his first homer in nearly three weeks, Giancarlo Stanton had his first four-hit game in almost two years, and the New York Yankees routed the Minnesota Twins 9-1 on Tuesday night.
Chalk up another Yankee whooping over the Twins, a theme that has gone on, and on, and on for years now.
The Yankees have now won 9 consecutive games against the Twins. That is their longest winning streak against the Twins since 2002 and when you look at Twins success against New York since 2002? That's saying something.
The Twins have won exactly one season series (2023) against the Bronx Bombers since 2001, an incredible mark of futility considering there are some very good Twins teams in that 24 year stretch.
The Twins were swept in 2024 over six games, and so far are 0-2 in New York this week with game three Wednesday evening in New York. The Yankees still come to Target Field for three in September.
It doesn't help that the Yankees have been just as big of a postseason bugaboo for the Twins, knocking them out of the playoffs in 2003, ‘04, ‘09, ‘10, ‘17 and ‘19. Phew.
But back to Tuesday's game. Yankee starter Carlos Rodón (12-7) allowed just one hit in seven innings, a leadoff single to Austin Martin, and cruised after a 31-pitch first. He became the first Yankee to complete seven innings since the left-hander pitched eight against the Cubs on July 11.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said the first inning was a lost opportunity.
"We had good at bats, we laid off pitches that were that were down and out of the zone, and we had a chance. It's the first inning, I wouldn't say break it open, but you know, put a few runs in the board," says Baldelli. "We'll still take the run but you want more in that situation every time."
Stanton went 4 for 5 for his first four-hit game since Aug. 24, 2023, against Washington. He doubled in his first at-bat, homered in the fifth and singled in his final two at-bats before getting lifted for a pinch runner following a two-run single.
Judge homered for the first time since July 23 when he hit a drive off Minnesota rookie starter Travis Adams (1-2).
Stanton added a homer in the fifth to give the Yankees a 5-1 lead. It was the second time this season Stanton and Judge connected in the same game and 54th time overall, including the playoffs.
One thing Yankee hitters don't need is extra help, and the Twins were awfully generous Tuesday night, issuing 11 walks. Baldelli stated the obvious after the game.
"I'd say our strike throwing wasn't too good today and it has to be significantly better," Baldelli says. "That's no secret. All of our guys are gonna be telling themselves that when they kind of pack this outing away and get ready for tomorrow."
The Yankees came into the Twins series struggling to stay in the playoff race. They won their third series since the All-Star break and won the first two games of a series for the first time since sweeping Seattle July 8-10.
The Twins, after a furious trade deadline sent a significant number of players packing, have played fairly well, taking two of three against both Detroit and Kansas City. After the series in New York they return home and host Detroit for four at Target Field.
Key Moment
Rodón loaded the bases when he hit Ryan Jeffers and allowed a run on a ground ball by Royce Lewis in the first. He ended the inning by retiring Kody Clemens and permitted one runner the rest of the way.
Key Stat
Stanton has nine of his 14 career four-hit games with the Yankees.
Up Next
Minnesota Twins (56-63, fourth in the AL Central) vs. New York Yankees (64-56, third in the AL East)
New York; Wednesday, 6:05 p.m. Pregame 5:30 p.m. on 830 WCCO and the Audacy App (in-market restrictions apply)
PITCHING PROBABLES: Twins: Joe Ryan (11-5, 2.79 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 146 strikeouts); Yankees: Cam Schlittler (1-2, 4.38 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 24 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Yankees -152, Twins +128; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The New York Yankees play the Minnesota Twins after Giancarlo Stanton had four hits against the Twins on Tuesday.
New York has a 37-24 record in home games and a 64-56 record overall. The Yankees have the fourth-best team on-base percentage in the majors at .329.
Minnesota is 56-63 overall and 24-38 in road games. The Twins are 42-19 in games when they record at least eight hits.
Wednesday's game is the third time these teams match up this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Aaron Judge has 38 home runs, 80 walks and 88 RBIs while hitting .337 for the Yankees. Stanton is 12 for 29 with a double, four home runs and 11 RBIs over the past 10 games.
Byron Buxton leads the Twins with 42 extra base hits (14 doubles, four triples and 24 home runs). Matt Wallner is 9 for 31 with a double, a triple, four home runs and six RBIs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Yankees: 4-6, .202 batting average, 3.78 ERA, outscored by five runs
Twins: 5-5, .224 batting average, 4.70 ERA, outscored by two runs
INJURIES: Yankees: Amed Rosario: 10-Day IL (joint), Austin Slater: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Jonathan Loaisiga: 15-Day IL (back), Clarke Schmidt: 60-Day IL (forearm), Fernando Cruz: 15-Day IL (oblique), Ryan Yarbrough: 15-Day IL (oblique), Oswaldo Cabrera: 60-Day IL (ankle), Jake Cousins: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gerrit Cole: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Twins: Christian Vazquez: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Simeon Woods Richardson: 15-Day IL (illness), Anthony Misiewicz: 15-Day IL (shoulder), David Festa: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Pablo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder)