Minnesota’s eight-game losing streak against the New York Yankees ended Tuesday night as the Twins pounded out 13 hits en route to a 10-5 win at Target Field.
Leading the charge was 35-year-old Joe Mauer, who blasted a grand slam over the wall in center field to give the Twins a 10-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.
JOE MAUER LAUNCHES A GRAND SLAM đź’Ą pic.twitter.com/79OQ4PhgRf
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) September 12, 2018
It was Mauer’s fifth career slam and sixth homer this season, and it essentially served as the difference because New York’s Didi Gregorious responded with a grand slam of his own in the top of the sixth.
Mauer hit his first career grand slam in 2007 off former Tigers ace Justin Verlander. His others came in 2009 against Jimmy Gobble (White Sox), 2012 against Luke Hochevar (Royals), and in 2017 against Chris Rowley (Blue Jays),
The Twins’ 10 runs equaled the most they’ve scored in any game against the Yankees going all the way back to May 17, 2002, when they lost 13-12 in 14 innings at old Yankee Stadium.
Mauer’s future with the Twins is in doubt after this season. His eight-year, $184 million contract that he signed long ago is up at the end of the season, and it’s unclear if the Twins have plans to offer him a new deal or if Mauer even has thoughts after continuing his career in Minnesota or anywhere else.
