The Yankees defeated the Twins, 6-3, on the strength of four home runs, along with six shutout innings from starter Andy Pettitte on Monday night at Target Field. Though Pettitte did not have his best stuff in his second start back from the disabled list—he gave up seven hits and issued a walk—the southpaw was aided by timely double plays and strong defense.
Yankees bomb Twins, pad East lead
The Yankees padded their lead in the AL East by defeating the Twins, 6-3.
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New York got off to a fast start against Minnesota starter Liam Hendriks; Derek Jeter led off with a single, followed by an Ichiro Suzuki double, setting up Robinson Cano's RBI groundout and Nick Swisher's two-run homer, his 23rd of the year. Curtis Granderson added his 40th jack in the fourth inning, becoming the fifth Yankee with repeat 40-homer seasons, while Eric Chavez and Raul Ibañez also went deep. All of the Bombers' runs came off Hendriks.
Pedro Florimon hit his first career home run for the Twins, and Minnesota scored two runs in the ninth inning on Chris Parmelee's triple.
The victory gives the Yankees a 1½-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East.
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