The Twins did pretty well on Sunday … if you don’t count those first four innings.
After spotting the New York Yankees a 9-0 lead, Minnesota climbed back into the game and even brought the potential winning run to the plate in the 9th inning.
It was not to be, though, as Kurt Suzuki grounded into a force out to end the 9-7 Yankee victory, the Associated Press reports.
Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco allowed six runs in just two innings, making it his shortest start of the season. The Star Tribune notes he has now been scored upon during the first inning in five of his last six starts.
Nolasco, you may recall, signed a four-year contract last winter that made him the highest-paid free agent signing in Twins history.
New York jumped out to its big lead on the strength of 4 RBIs from Jacoby Ellsbury, who hit a three-run homer off Nolasco in the second inning. The Twins’ late comeback was fueled by Chris Colabello, whose two-run home run was his second round tripper in three games since being recalled from a stint in the minors.
Find video of Colabello’s blast and other game highlights here.
Although he’ll be back in Minneapolis next week for the All-Star Game, this was Yankee captain Derek Jeter’s final regular season game in Minnesota. And Jeter delivered with three hits.
ESPN reports Twins fans gave Jeter a standing ovation as he came to the plate in the ninth inning.
Jeter then singled for the 3,400th hit of his career. The Pioneer Press notes only eight other big leaguers have accomplished that milestone.
Derek Jeter collects his 3,400th hit in Yankees' 9-7 win over #MNTwins. http://t.co/pmz8mdRodg pic.twitter.com/ShqppA6cM9
— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) July 6, 2014
A first-inning hit moved Jeter into fourth place on the all-time list of most career singles.
The Twins paid tribute to Jeter on Saturday by presenting him with second base from the final Twins game in the Metrodome, a loss to the Yankees that allowed New York to advance in the 2009 playoffs.
