New York @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2012 ) NY Yankees 4, Minnesota 5

The New York Yankees had a perfect opportunity to put some more distance between themselves and the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. Instead, the pitching melted down in the late innings. The Yankees currently lead the Orioles by 1 1/2 games in the American League East but are two up in the loss column. The Minnesota Twins are embracing the role of spoiler, having won three of their last four games against playoff contenders.

New York took a 3-1 lead into the seventh inning on Tuesday before Phil Hughes loaded the bases and Boone Logan allowed all three inherited runners to score. The staff has allowed at least five runs in three of the last four games. The Twins swept a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday and never quit against the Yankees on Monday or Tuesday. Minnesota is deep in evaluation mode but young players like Chris Parmelee are combining with veterans like Denard Span and Joe Mauer to keep the offense humming. They will try to solve CC Sabathia in the rubber game Wednesday afternoon.

TV: 1:10 p.m. YES (New York), FSNO (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (13-6, 3.47 ERA) vs. Twins RH Samuel Deduno (6-5, 4.54)

Sabathia bounced back from a rough stretch last time out, when he surrendered just three hits and struck out 11 in eight scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics. The burly left-hander was left out of the decision in that one and does not have a win since Aug. 24. Sabathia held Minnesota to three runs on four hits over 7 1/3 innings to pick up a win on April 17. He is 15-8 with a 3.00 ERA in 31 career starts against the Twins.

Deduno did not even make it through the third inning at Detroit last Saturday, surrendering seven runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings. The rookie right-hander has taken the loss in two straight starts, posting a 15.64 ERA while issuing eight walks in 6 1/3 total innings. Deduno has never faced New York but has been better at home, going 4-1 with a 3.22 ERA at Target Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mauer (.326) went 3-for-4 on Tuesday to pull closer to Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera (.329) in the AL batting race. Mauer is 6-for-31 (.194) in his career against Sabathia.

2. Yankees SS Derek Jeter has hit safely in 19 straight games.

3. New York activated OF Brett Gardner (elbow) and RHP David Aardsma (elbow). Gardner will be limited to base running and defense.