New York @ Minnesota preview
Target Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2011 ) NY Yankees 4, Minnesota 9
THE STORY: The New York Yankees will wrap up a seven-game road trip when they take on the Minnesota Twins in the finale of a four-game series on Sunday. Despite losing for only the second time in 12 trips to Target Field on Saturday night, the Yankees maintained their half-game lead over the Boston Red Sox atop the American League East. Alex Rodriguez could finally return to the lineup Sunday for the first time since he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he plans to play Rodriguez – if he feels good in the morning.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, YES, TBS, FSNO
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Ivan Nova (12-4, 4.21 ERA) vs. Twins RH Nick Blackburn (7-10, 4.53 ERA).
Nova must be living right. A winner of eight straight decisions, he's also won all four starts since his recall from the minors. In his nine-start unbeaten streak dating to June 10, the Yankees have scored a staggering 81 runs – an average of 9.0 per start. Nova had his worst outing last time out but earned the win against the Kansas City Royals despite allowing seven runs in 5 1/3 innings. He won his only start versus Minnesota.
Blackburn has lost his last four decisions and remains winless since July 8. He was whacked for five runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings against Detroit last time out as his trademark sinker continues to sink the Twins. It marked the third time in five starts he has surrendered double-digits hits and the major league-leading seventh time he has been roughed up for at least 10 hits in a start this season.
ABOUT THE TWINS (55-70): Sunday’s game will conclude a brutal 18-game stretch for Minnesota, which has played six consecutive series against teams in contention for division titles. Danny Valencia hit his 13th homer Saturday, ending a 23-game drought without going deep. Rookie Trevor Plouffe extended his hitting streak to seven games. Michael Cuddyer, who leads the team in homers, RBIs and batting average, may be available Sunday. He has missed eight consecutive games with a herniated disk in his neck. The Twins were also missing shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who missed Saturday’s game with back spasms. Veteran designated hitter Jim Thome is dealing with back and neck pain.
ABOUT THE YANKEES (76-48): New York did little offensively until the game was out of hand Saturday. Robinson Cano extended his hitting streak to 12 games, but Derek Jeter saw his eight-game streak come to an end. Jeter had six straight multi-hit games entering Saturday’s contest. Mark Teixeira hit a milestone with a two-run single in Friday’s game, giving him 1,000 career RBIs in nine seasons. Teixeira has seven career 100-RBI seasons and needs six more this season to make it eight. Lefthander Aaron Laffey, claimed off waivers from Seattle, made his first appearance Saturday, allowing two runs in three innings.
FINAL PITCH: “My mouth’s getting watery here. I’m ready to play, and I’ve watched enough baseball.” – Yankees 3B Rodriguez, who could play Sunday for the first time since July 7. New York has gone 25-13 with him sidelined.