The Twins defeated the New York Yankees in the 11th inning Saturday at Target Field, winning by a score of 2-1.
The Associated Press reported that the win snapped a seven-game home skid against the Yankees. The victory was just Minnesota’s fourth win against New York in 17 games at the team’s new stadium. The Twins fell to the Yankees 6-5 in Friday’s contest.
The New York Times noted that Yankee starting pitcher David Phelps shut out the Twins for six innings, retiring 11 straight. He allowed a solo homer to Josh Willingham in the seventh, tying the game at 1.
But, in the words of the Times, “…the Yankees squandered some of that benefit.”
Twins pinch hitter Chris Colabello doubled off the right field wall to lead off the 11th. With the bases loaded, Willingham scored the winning run after catcher Francisco Cervelli, trying to complete a home-to-first inning-ending double play, overthrew first baseman Mark Teixeira for an error.
Cervelli was a late addition to the lineup after regular catcher Brian McCann was scratched with a sore foot.
It was a good outing for Willingham, who was out of the Twins lineup on Friday; the Pioneer Press noted that the 35-year-old slugger has been in a slump. Just yesterday, Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire said he needed “a breather.”
“He’s kind of been scuffling a little bit,” Gardenhire said. “A breather to watch a game every once in a while is a good thing, and that’s kind of what we’re doing with him today, just give him a little breather. He might come in the game and hit a pinch-hit home run and win the game for us.”
