Yankees Rally Past Twins In Game 1 Win Thanks To Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira

In the end, it was just how the Yankees drew it up. Build a lead, hold onto it, and hand it over to Mariano Rivera for the guaranteed save.

In the middle, it went anything but according to plan, as the Yankees were forced to rally past the Twins in picking up the Game 1 victory in their ALDS. It was the Twins who struck first against CC Sabathia, as Michael Cuddyer hit a two-run homer to straightaway center in the second, and Orlando Hudson scampered home on a passed ball in the third. Francisco Liriano was then able to protect that 3-0 lead into the sixth inning, nearing the point at which he could hand things over to the bullpen.

But the Yankees wouldn't have it. An RBI single by Robinson Cano, an RBI single by Jorge Posada, and a towering two-run triple by Curtis Granderson put New York on top 4-3 in a flash, and Liriano was pulled from the game having given away his cushion.

The Twins were not without life, as they battled back in the bottom half courtesy of an unusual Sabathia meltdown. Sabathia walked three batters in the sixth, including Danny Valencia with the bases loaded to knot things up at four. Momentum was back on the home team's side.

It just didn't last very long. Jesse Crain came out of the Minnesota bullpen and allowed a two-run homer to Mark Teixeira in the seventh that just managed to stay fair beyond the right field foul pole. At that point, the Yankees had their biggest lead of the game, and it became a matter of hanging on until Rivera could be summoned.

Rivera was summoned in relief of Kerry Wood in the bottom of the eighth, inheriting two on and two out. Rivera escaped the inning, and pitched the ninth without problem.

The Twins gave a strong effort, but came up short in the end, and will turn the ball over to Carl Pavano in Game 2 of the series. The Yankees will counter with Andy Pettitte.