The Yankees didn’t forget their bats on Tuesday night against the Minnesota Twins.
The night after tallying two hits in their shutout loss, the Bombers broke out the lumber, recording 16 hits to hang on and defeat the Twins 10-9 and even the three-game series. It was a big night for Aaron Boone’s lineup, which included 10 runs scored in the first four innings and an encouraging return for Anthony Volpe.
The shortstop returned after being absent from the lineup since Sept. 9 due to a cortisone shot in his left shoulder and went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and an RBI single in the fourth, tallying the Bombers’ 10th and final run. The Yanks will need to see plenty more where that came from before they establish Volpe as their surefire shortstop entering October.
The Yanks also saw continued performance from some of their sluggers. Ben Rice went 3-for-4 with an RBI double and Trent Grisham mashed his 31st homer of the season in the top of the second inning during a 2-for-4, 3-RBI night. Giancarlo Stanton recorded two RBI as well.
Cam Schlittler was the Yanks starter, however, the rookie wasn’t exactly sharp with all of the extra run support. The right-hander tossed 4.2 innings, allowing four runs on three hits while striking out six. The rookie’s control went a bit haywire as he walked five batters.
The Bombers bullpen didn’t make matters any easier either. Ryan Yarbrough recorded just one out in the bottom of the sixth inning but was charged for four runs bringing the game to 10-8. David Bednar entered in the ninth inning and allowed a solo homer to Trevor Larnach — who just missed a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth — but ended up getting the save and securing the Bombers’ victory.
Boone will turn to Luis Gil on Wednesday night as the right-hander will attempt to win the rubber match. Gil is 4-1 with a 2.83 ERA in eight starts this season. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year will face off against Taj Bradley for Rocco Baldelli’s squad.
