Twins 6, Yankees 2: Start Spreadin' the News! The Twins Win!

[Steven Trefz]

With the season series, and 22 years of angst on the line, the Minnesota Twins put together a team effort and beat the Yankees 6-2 Tuesday evening at Target Field. Joe Ryan dazzled, the bats came alive in bursts, and the bullpen closed it out in easy fashion to send the crowd home happy. Here's how it all unfolded.

Image courtesy of Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
SP: Joe Ryan  7 IP,  7 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K (91 pitches, 72 strikes (79% strikes)
Home Runs: Byron Buxton (4), Trevor Larnach (3)
Top 3 WPA:  Byron Buxton .221, Jorge Polanco .197, Donovan Solano .108

Win Probability Chart  

If at First You Don't Succeed...
Joe Ryan entered the game tied for the MLB league lead in wins, and looking to continue to silence the Yankee bats. 

The Twins got the offense rolling in the bottom of the third inning, thanks to a ground ball by Michael A. Taylor that snuck through Anthony Volpe's glove (and Peraza's for that matter) for an error. After an eight-pitch at-bat in the first inning, Donovan Solano only needed five pitches to tie the game by lacing a double to left field.

Not to be outdone, Jorge Polanco continued his red hot hitting by ripping a double of his own into left, scoring Solano to put the Twins in the lead, 2-1. 

The Twins Giveth...
In the top of the fifth inning, Donovan Solano allowed a "single" to Aaron Hicks on a smash grounder through his glove. Volpe followed with a smash single to left, and the Yankees were set up for success with two on and nobody out. Ryan battled, and was set to escape the inning after Aaron Judge hit into a 5-4-3 double play...except Solano forgot to catch the ball at first. This time it was an error which allowed Hicks to scamper around third to tie the game 2-2.

(Twitter video not provided to protect Twins fans from having to see it again)

The Yankees Giveth...
After Cortes had retired eight Twins in a row, Polanco just kept rolling by blasting a deep fly ball to left-center for a "double" that everyone who has ever watched Hicks play outfield before was surprised that he didn't catch. Then Byron Buxton worked the count into his favor at 3-1, and drove a cutter to left field beyond where even Hicks could catch it.

Not So Fast on that Joe Ryan Paragraph...
Just when a TwinsDaily blogger thought it was safe to move the focus to the amazing Ryan and his pitching, the Yankees sent in lights-out RHP Ron Marinaccio to put out the fire in the bottom of the sixth. Of course, his 0.80 WHIP was no match for the blazing speed of Ryan Jeffers, who beat out an infield excuse-me grounder to third. Then, with two outs, the slugging lefty Larnach sent an 82.6 mph first pitch changeup out at 107.1 mph for a two-run blast!

Ok, Now for the Joe Ryan Fanboy Paragraph (Or, 5-Joe, if you prefer)
Pitcher "Wins" might not be the perfect stat to determine starting pitcher success in this sabermetric world, but Ryan earned his MLB-leading fifth win, and the Twins haven't lost a game that he's started yet this season. If that doesn't move a player into the "ace" status on your roster, I don't know what will. (*) I had the pleasure of meeting Joe before a game in Miami earlier this season, and I watched him take time for Twins fans of all ages, humbly and cheerfully thanking the fans for being there. We thank you, Joe Ryan, for being here. We like 20-game winners with fun personalities, and we think you fit that description awfully well.
*one might argue also that a pitcher leading the league in ERA might also be an "ace." Or, giving a contract extension of four years and $73.5 million to the guy that most consider the team's best pitcher might also qualify for "ace" status. 

Now for the Jorge Polanco Fanboy Paragraph
Judging by the texts that flooded my phone tonight, many Twins fans are either celebrating or sobbing because of where Polanco has landed in their fantasy baseball league. One things Twins fans are in agreement on? He is single-handedly rebuilding our hope in the Twins offense and defense with plays like this in the top of the eighth. I think Jorge Lopez's facial expression is all the evidence you need about how good it is to have Polanco back.

Closing Out a Season Series Victory Against the Yankees
For the first time since 2001, the Twins will win the season series against the New York Yankees. Some of you weren't even born yet, but you know the angst that's followed. Tonight's a night to celebrate Twins Territory! Let's get out the brooms tomorrow!

Other notes
With their 6-2 victory tonight, the Twins stretch their early lead in the AL Central to three games over the Cleveland Guardians, who continue to be overmatched at home versus the Colorado Rockies.

What’s Next? 
The Twins play their final game of the season series against the Yankees on Wednesday afternoon with Kenta Maeda returning to face off against the sticky pitches of Domingo German. First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. 

Postgame Interview 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	TOT
Jax	31	0	0	23	0	54
López	16	0	7	0	10	33
Thielbar	12	0	18	0	0	30
Durán	0	0	11	0	15	26
Moran	0	0	0	24	0	24
Headrick	0	3	0	0	0	3
Pagan	0	0	0	0	0	0
Stewart	0	0	0	0	0	0

 

Follow Steve Trefz on Twitter: @TwinsTrefz

 

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[SwainZag]

Big props to Joe Ryan in this one.  He gave up a lot of hard contact in the first couple innings.  After the Yanks tied in the game in 5th on that error, he really buckled down and retired the last 7 batters he faced.

[Althebum82]

Impressive win against Jim Kaat's favorite rhyming Nestor!

Looking forward to Maeda's best effort so far this year so maybe the Twins can add "series sweep" on top of season win honors against this opponent in 2023.

[Aggies7]

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that winning the season series against the Yankees is the single greatest thing to ever happen in my life

😉

[jimbo92107]

This is shaping up to be a VERY interesting season...and this time it's for GOOD reasons!

[Aerodeliria]

I finally figured out what fantasy baseball is. Don't wake me up please.

[Steven Trefz]

7 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that winning the season series against the Yankees is the single greatest thing to ever happen in my life

😉

Seriously, I had to hide my phone for the final innings just so I could finish this article...I didn't realize just how much this had built up on everybody's vibe.  Some of the most fun I've had as a Twins fan was being in Yankee Stadium last week for that series, and listening to the local radio absolutely furious while simultaneously writing us off.

Curious to tune in tonight😁

[I wish the twins were good]

[Aerodeliria]

On 4/26/2023 at 11:31 AM, SwainZag said:

Big props to Joe Ryan in this one.  He gave up a lot of hard contact in the first couple innings.  After the Yanks tied in the game in 5th on that error, he really buckled down and retired the last 7 batters he faced.

He has two wins against the Empire. I give him a deep bow just for that alone.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Sure it's a small number, but the club is just so much better in the four games Polanco has been back in the lineup. With Buxton, Correa, Larnach and Miranda all experiencing difficulties it is such a comfort to have his bat working.

Edited April 26, 2023 by VivaBomboRivera!
word choice

[GetToKnowEm]

Thanks for the entertaining read! Great win all around  

Also of note is Jorge Lopez (the other Lopez or the other Jorge) extending his run-less streak and has a 0.28 WHIP for the young season. 

[LastOnePicked]

Beating the Yankees. Three up on Cleveland. My goodness, but this is fun. Let's have more fun like this all summer.

 

[SwainZag]

1 minute ago, LastOnePicked said:

Beating the Yankees. Three up on Cleveland. My goodness, but this is fun. Let's have more fun like this all summer.

 

Not to mention the White Sox sit 10 games under .500....which just gives me unbridled joy.

[Aggies7]

8 minutes ago, Steven Trefz said:

Seriously, I had to hide my phone for the final innings just so I could finish this article...I didn't realize just how much this had built up on everybody's vibe.  Some of the most fun I've had as a Twins fan was being in Yankee Stadium last week for that series, and listening to the local radio absolutely furious while simultaneously writing us off.

Curious to tune in tonight😁

Living in Yankee country made the last 22 years much, much harder to take. 

[stringer bell]

The pitching has been outstanding so far this year and I think there's reason to believe it will be really good all year. What it means is they can make a bad play and still survive and also they don't always need four runs. 

[VivaBomboRivera!]

3 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

What it means is they can make a bad play and still survive and also they don't always need four runs.

And yet, we have outscored the "Bombers," as well.

[Eephus]

First rate write up. Fun to read... helps that they won. Thanks!

[Longdistancetwins]

10 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

Living in Yankee country made the last 22 years much, much harder to take. 

“Concur,” as Chief says.  

[USAFChief]

[USAFChief]

25 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

Living in Yankee country made the last 22 years much, much harder to take. 

Revenge is a dish best served cold. 

..

Ice cold.

..

Absolute zero cold.

[blindeke]

I lived in New York City in 2001 and watched those games, and let me tell you, that was a looooong time ago. It feels good to be young again!

[jkcarew]

Ryan might never be the type of pitcher that dominates on a regular basis. But here’s the thing I LOVE about him…he’s aggressive. He’s not afraid to throw the ball over the plate. Including…and this is the best part…when things aren’t going great. He doesn’t crawl into a shell when getting hit and/or behind. Getting a few ‘extra’ outs in poor, fair, and good starts. Makes the entire staff just a little bit better.

[Dave Borton]

79% strikes. I guess I did read that right. Good Grief!

[jmlease1]

I'm all in on Joe Ryan, who pounds the zone and piles up the outs. Excellent performance tonight, 7 nifty innings to put the Evil Empire to sleep. Gray, Lopez, and Ryan sure gives me a lot of confidence at the top of the rotation.

I'm not surprised to see Polanco be such a catalyst for the offense, but it's very welcome.

Nice to see Larnach making the necessary adjustments to never seeing a fastball. Be great to see him get on a run slamming slop around and see whether he starts seeing more fastballs. 

[I wish the twins were good]

1 hour ago, I wish the twins were good said:

Have a shot tomorrow at first three game sweep since 1991! The big apple just fell off the tree and rolled into the east river!

[jkcarew]

I’m chuckling at all the posters that are ecstatic over the Yankees season series thing. I’m happy, don’t get me wrong. And, maybe it’s just because I’m old and can easily remember when the Twins were legitimately better than the Yankees…but here’s the thing…

In the 21 seasons (2002-2022) during this streak, the Twins finished with a better record than the Yankees exactly one time. 2020, the strike-shortened season, when…you guessed it…the Twins and Yankees didn’t play during the regular season. (This, while the Yankees were competing in a superior, sometimes far superior, division as well.)

The Yankees were always the better team. And that’s what season series do. They mitigate extreme small-sample chance and separate the stronger team from the weaker team. (Or the very strong team from the strong one.) So, I honestly never felt ‘bad’ when we lost to the Yankees (just disappointed), nor did I ever feel that the Twins were unlucky, intimidated, or choking. I know it’s hard to accept across 21+ years, but sports can be cruel..especially when comparing your favorite team to the New York Yankees.

Anyway…that’s Step 1. Step 2: still be better than them in October.

[Jocko87]

As impressed as I am by Gallos glove work at first I’m equally disappointed with Solanos glove.  Man it’s tough sometimes.  I was expecting more and am concerned about putting him elsewhere as well. 

Lots of posts here and the socials about finally beating the Yankees but we better enjoy it and never mention it again after tomorrow.  It feels like back in the dark days when Dick had to stretch for good things to say-he’s on a 6 game hitting streak, against lefties, in day games, after double headers, on the road, against the AL east.  Arbitrary wins in arbitrary time periods.

They will be a different squad next time but so will the Twins.  

[Jocko87]

30 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

I’m chuckling at all the posters that are ecstatic over the Yankees season series thing. I’m happy, don’t get me wrong. And, maybe it’s just because I’m old and can easily remember when the Twins were legitimately better than the Yankees…but here’s the thing…

In the 21 seasons (2002-2022) during this streak, the Twins finished with a better record than the Yankees exactly one time. 2020, the strike-shortened season, when…you guessed it…the Twins and Yankees didn’t play during the regular season. (While the Yankees were competing in a superior, sometimes far superior, division throughout this period, as well.)

The Yankees were always the better team. And that’s what season series do. They mitigate extreme small-sample chance and separate the stronger team from the weaker team. So, I honestly never felt ‘bad’ when we lost to the Yankees (just disappointed), nor did I ever feel that the Twins were unlucky, intimidated, or choking.

Anyway…that’s Step 1. Step 2: still be better than them in October.

Jinx! I type slow.  This means nothing in October. 

[Boswell]

The definition of “ace” that I prefer is the starter who will put an end to a losing streak.    For this week, it’s _Bailey Ober_! 😂😉😃

[Boswell]

Just now, Boswell said:

The definition of “ace” that I prefer is the starter who will put an end to a losing streak.    For this week, it’s _Bailey Ober_! 😂😉😃

I also refuse to recognize the Yankee “win” from last Saturday.  Domingo needed to be tossed, but the boys in blue were too timid to stand up to Boonie’s “Animals” (😂) and the fans in the Bronx Zoo. 
 

A turnabout on the pitcher’s “performance of a lifetime” would make a sweep even sweeter.  5-1 on the season series - the mega millionaire Cole beat us fair and square.