The Yankees fell to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon, losing by a final score of 8-4 in Tampa.
Here are the key takeaways…
–Gerrit Cole looked good on the mound in the first, with his fastball topping out around 96 mph as he set the Twins down in order. The second inning was more of a struggle, though, as Cole allowed three hits and a sac fly to allow Minnesota to take a two-run lead. Then came the big blow, as Matt Wallner smashed a three-run homer to right on a 97 mph sinker.
Cole was lifted after that three-run homer, but he came back out to start the top of third. He allowed another home run, a solo shot to Brooks Lee, and his day came to an end after 2.2 innings. Cole allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits while striking out two hitters.
-It was also a rough day on the bump for Luke Weaver, who allowed a homer of his own to former Yankee Mike Ford. Weaver recorded just one out, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one and walking one.
Overall, Yankees pitching allowed four home runs on the afternoon.
–Anthony Volpe had an adventurous top of the second inning. After throwing a would-be double play ball away at first base, Volpe fielding a check-swing one-hopper with runners at the corners and one out. Instead of trying to turn two, Volpe tried to beat the runner racing back to third base, but everyone was safe and the inning continued.
Volpe also went 0-for-3 at the plate with a couple of strikeouts.
–Aaron Judge was the designated hitter for the Yankees, and he went 0-for-1 with two walks. With Judge DH-ing, Cody Bellinger started in right field, and he looked comfortable, playing a line drive off the wall perfectly to hold Lee to a single and prevent a run from scoring. Bellinger will be the starting center field for the Yankees come Opening Day, but it’s good to see him looking comfortable in the corners as well.
–J.C. Escarra, fighting for the backup catcher job, drove in a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. It wasn’t pretty, but the check-swing blooper dropped harmlessly in left center, scoring two runs.
Later, with two outs in the ninth, Escarra ripped a solo home run just over the wall in right center.
Escarra has bounced around the minor leagues and was playing independent baseball in 2022 and 2023, but he impressed in the Yankees’ minor league system last season, and is now fighting to back up Austin Wells.
Who was the game MVP?
Escarra, who continues to push for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Highlights
What’s next
The Yankees host the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night at 6:35 p.m.
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