NEW YORK - It’s no secret the Yankees’ run-scoring machine is running on fumes lately, even as they’d rolled through three of their first four games against the Twins this week. But the power shortage caught up with the Bombers in Thursday’s 4-3 loss to Minnesota.
Aaron Judge was 2-for-4 but didn’t hit a home run. Nor was he pitched to in the ninth inning with runners on second and third. That’s all you need to know. Without the Big Man hitting bombs, the Yankees’ game plan boils down to tightly crossed fingers. That’s not a comforting thought with the Rays coming to town this weekend for an Eastern Division showdown.
The Yankees did, however, create some suspense in the ninth inning, loading the bases with one out after Judge was intentionally walked. But Gleyber Torres struck out after being up 2-0 in the count against Michael Fulmer. And Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded out to second to end the rally.
The fans were on their feet in the eighth inning, too, as the Yankees closed to within a run with a chance to tie it at 4-4. All they needed was 90 feet to bring Kiner-Falefa home from third base. The Twins, as they historically do against the Yankees, looked ready to fold.
Aaron Boone turned his gaze to Giancarlo Stanton on a pure gamble. The slugger, who’d been out of action since fouling a ball off his foot Monday night, has been a shell of his first-half. The slugger is 1-for-16 since returning from the Injured List, offering two possible outcomes as pinch-hitter: a massive home run or a rust-induced strikeout.
Turns out in was Door Number 2 against reliever Caleb Thielbar, who broke off a 3-2 curveball that Stanton swung over to end the rally.
That wasn’t the night’s only buzz kill, either. The Yankees went into Thursday’s game knowing they’d be without DJ LeMahieu for the short term. His second right toe has continued to bother him, despite various attempts to calm the area down.
Boone said he was “concerned’ by LeMahieu’s health issue, which could sideline him for the rest of the season.
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That’s the last thing the Yankees need as they try to keep the Rays at bay in the East. At least they were comforted by a four-game series with the Twins, who’ve reliably served as punching bags for most of the last decade.
No joke, the Yankees have owned the Twins, regardless of the year, the roster, the manager. Since late 2017, the Yankees are 23-6 against Minnesota and have won the last 15 season series dating back to 2006.
So no wonder the Stadium crowd was already thinking of a sweep when Miguel Andujar gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead in the second inning. It created breathing room for Nestor Cortes, who was making his first start in 18 days and was on a strict pitch count.
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Cortes, who has at times been the Yankees’ best starter, was perfect at the outset, retiring the first 12 batters. That’s exactly what Boone wanted to see after Cortes’ extended stay on the Injured List with a groin pull. The only question was Cortes’ stamina – and Boone got his answer in the fifth inning when Cortes allowed back to back hits to Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez to lead off.
A single to center, an RBI double into the left-center gap and that was all the data Boone needed. Cortes was replaced by Clarke Schmidt, who was handed a 2-1 lead. The Twins quickly tied the game at 2-2 when Nick Gordon punched a single to left that scored Sanchez.
NOTABLE:
HONORS: Jose Trevino was named the Yankees’ nominee for the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award, his second career nomination. The Clemente Award is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. Since 2017, Trevino has held Trevino’s Toy Drive, a project that collects hundreds of toys and monetary donations that are shared with families in need of assistance during the holidays.
WINNING WAYS: With their 82nd win in Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader, the Yankees clinches their 30th consecutive winning record (since 1993). Their current 30-season streak is the second-longest such stretch in Major League history behind only the franchise’s streak of 39 straight winning seasons from 1926-64.
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Bob Klapisch may be reached at bklapisch@njadvancemedia.com.
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