MINNEAPOLIS — We could have copied and pasted Monday’s game recap in for tonight’s, but that’s lazy. Regardless, the Yankees smoked the Twins, 7-3 Tuesday night at Target Field.
It was the same old song and dance. The Twins (36-44) jumped out to an early lead, the starting pitching was solid, and the bullpen blew it. Pretty simple, really.
Samuel Deduno celebrated his 30th birthday by retiring the first nine batters he faced — all on ground balls. He got into trouble in the fifth when Yankees (44-39) shortstop Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run double, and Ichiro Suzuki reached on an RBI infield single to put the visitors up, 3-1.
The Twins scored the first run of the game when Joe Mauer snapped out of an 0-19 slump with a run-scoring single to left field. Aaron Hicks scored on the hit. Earlier in the day he was recalled from Triple-A Rochester after Josh Willingham was placed on the 15 day disabled list with a knee injury.
Deduno (4-3) gave up three runs on five hits over six innings — a quality start.
The wheels fell off when Anthony Swarzak gave up four runs in the seventh, highlighted by a long, three-run home run by Robinson Cano — his third homer of the series and 20th of the season.
Yankees starter Phil Hughes (4-7) earned the win, allowing one run on six hits over seven innings.
Brian Dozier hit a two-run double in the ninth to make the score a little more respectable.
Mariano Rivera picked up career save No. 635 with one pitch in the ninth.
