Minnesota Twins 7
New York Yankees 1
With a record of 24-51, the Twins might be having a season that fans will not want to remember. But Sunday’s game was one for the books.
The Twins didn’t just break the Yankees’ three game win streak and avoid a sweep with a six run win. They hit more home runs in one game than they have in nine years, and their starting pitcher allowed only two hits against the Yankees for the first time in a decade.
“And it’s outta here!” (times 6 edition)
Outfielder Danny Santana homered in the third inning to make the score 1-0, but that was just the beginning. With a runner on and two outs in the top of the sixth, Brian Dozier hit a home run to give MN a three run lead.
Next at bat was Trevor Plouffe, who also homered. Then, rookie Max Kepler followed suit and hit the third home run of his career.
WHAT!?!?!?!? #MNTwins go back-to-back-to-back with Dozier, Plouffe and rookie Kepler giving Duffey a 5-0 lead!
— Tim Arcand (@TArcand) June 26, 2016
BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK!
MAX KEPLER JOINS THE HR PARTY! 🎉6th inning HR counter:@BrianDozier: ✅
@TPlouffe24: âś…
Max Kepler: âś…#MNTwins— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 26, 2016
Max Kepler must really like playing on Sunday's. All three of his HR's have come on the last three Sunday's. #MNTwins #Twins
— David Tukesbrey🎙 (@DavidTukesbrey) June 26, 2016
As if three consecutive home runs in one inning wasn’t enough, the Twins kept them coming.
Yankee pitcher Nathaniel Eovaldi was replaced by Luis Cessa in the next inning. But that didn’t stop Eduardo Nunez from joining Sunday’s home run club. The former Yankee hit a line drive to left field in the seventh inning.
Homerfest continues. Nunez hits 5th HR of game for #Twins, who lead Yankees 6-0 in 7th.
— Guy N. Limbeck (@PBglimbeck) June 26, 2016
A few more pitching changes later, catcher Juan Centeno hit one out of the park in the ninth inning.
Make it 6 HRs for Twins, with Juan Centeno joining the fun. Last time with 6: July 6, 2007 at ChiWS: Morneau 3, Hunter, Cuddyer, Cirillo.
— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) June 26, 2016
Today marks the 31st time in @Twins history they have hit 5-or-more HR in a game. They are 30-0 in those games.
Club record is 8 (8/29/63)
— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) June 26, 2016
The Twins have never lost a game in which they’ve hit at least five home runs since moving to Minnesota in 1961, writes ESPN’s Derek Wetmore. Sunday’s game was the 31st time they pulled off that feat, with a perfect 31-0 record.
Duffey pitches 2/3 of a perfect game
Tyler Duffey didn’t allow one hit until the sixth inning on Sunday, when former Twins player Aaron Hicks doubled to right field. He struck out eight batters, walked none and allowed a total of two hits during the entire eight innings he pitched. In Duffey’s defense, no one has ever pitched a perfect game against the Yankees, says CBS.
Let's not jinx him or anything #mntwins pic.twitter.com/JqQcLQArbJ
— Jason Rantala (@jarantala) June 26, 2016
Starting P for #MNTwins the last 3 times they allowed 2 hits or less vs. #Yankees
2016 – Tyler Duffey
2006 – Scott Baker
2000 – Eric Milton— Keith Leventhal (@KeithLeventhal) June 26, 2016
Awesome to see Tyler Duffey turn in such a dominant outing. Needs to keep that momentum going. #MNTwins
— Ted (@tlschwerz) June 26, 2016
First baseman Mark Teixeira hit a home run in the eighth inning to give the Yankees their only run.
Up Next:
The Twins will travel to Chicago to play the White Sox on Tuesday night. MN’s Kyle Gibson (0-5) will take the mound against Jose Quintana (5-7).
