The Yankees made a powerful statement in their visit to the Twin Cities, sweeping the Twins in a commanding three-game series. Outscoring the Twins 14-1, the Yankees' comprehensive victory was fueled by absolutely stellar pitching, clean defense, and the relentless offensive firepower of the team’s Captain, Aaron Judge, who went 7-for-11 with three walks in this series.
According to James Smyth, a researcher for the YES Network, this was the first time the Yankees have held an opponent to one run or fewer in a three-game series since they outscored the Rangers 14-1 in the 1999 ALDS. This was the first regular season series they had accomplished this feat since 1952.
Yankees sweep the Twins with a 5-0 win
Yankees Allow 0-1 Run in 3-Game Series (All 1 Run)
Oct 1904 vs SLB
Aug 1906 vs CLE
Sep 1906 at BOS
Sep 1920 vs PHA
Sep 1952 vs BOS
1998 ALDS vs TEX
1999 ALDS vs TEX
May 2024 at MIN— James Smyth (@JamesSmyth621) May 16, 2024
Yankees pitching staff holds second best ERA in MLB
Despite missing their ace and the reigning 2023 AL Cy Young winner, Gerrit Cole, along with key relief pitchers Jonathan Loaisiga, Tommy Kahnle, and Scott Effross, the Yankees' pitching staff has remained resilient through April and May, maintaining the second-best ERA in baseball. With an impressive ERA of 2.91, they trail only their division rivals, the Red Sox, who hold a 2.79 ERA. The starting rotation, again without Cole, has earned a collective 3.13 ERA.
In this series, they held the Twins to one run through 27 innings across three games. That run came from the first inning of game one with a home run from Ryan Jeffers off Carlos Rodon. They held the Twins scoreless in the next 26 innings of the series with Marcus Stroman and Clarke Schmidt getting the ball for games two and three.
Game One
Giancarlo Stanton went 2-for-5, and ripped a 114-MPH home run, helping the Yankees secure the 5-1 victory.
Alex Verdugo contributed with a two-run double for New York, which took the opener of the three-game series. Anthony Volpe also shined, going 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI.
Everyone in the Yankees lineup had a hit by the fifth inning.
Minnesota's only run came from a solo homer by Ryan Jeffers.
Carlos Rodon (4-2) earned his second consecutive win, allowing one run on six hits over six-plus innings, with no walks and six strikeouts.
Twins right-hander Chris Paddack (4-2) took the loss, surrendering five runs on 12 hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out four, which ended Paddack's four-start winning streak.
Game Two
Aaron Judge went 4-for-4 with a walk, three doubles, and a home run that cleared the third deck at Target Field. This was the Captain’s fifth home run in 9 games. Judge now has two of the three longest hit home runs of the year with the longest home run tying Mike Trout at 473 ft. and the second longest at 467 ft.
Everyone in the Yankees’ lineup got a hit in this game except for Anthony Rizzo. Alex Verdugo went 2-for-5 and Giancarlo Stanton went 2-for-4.
Marcus Stroman (3-2) allowed just two hits and zero runs through six innings with two strikeouts.
Luke Weaver relieved for two innings and allowed just two hits, no runs, one walk, and worked two strikeouts.
Not sure if this ball has landed yet 🤯
Presented by @STIHLUSA pic.twitter.com/D4081dsEXp
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 16, 2024
Game Three
Anthony Volpe kicked off the game with a home run, igniting a three-run first inning for the Yankees.
Gleyber Torres contributed with two doubles and an RBI, while Anthony Rizzo, Austin Wells, and Alex Verdugo also drove in runs.
Aaron Judge continued his hot streak, smashing two doubles and going 2-for-3 with a walk, following a perfect 4-for-4 performance with a walk on Wednesday night.
Most impressive of all was Clarke Schmidt’s performance from the mound, the most smashing outing of his career. Schmidt pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing three hits and no walks.
"He just executed his game plan really well."
- Aaron Boone on Clarke Schmidt's start pic.twitter.com/Kp1YMEfw3Z
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 16, 2024
Up next in the Bronx
The Yankees returned to the Bronx Friday with the second-best record in the majors behind Philadelphia, and have now won 11 of their last 14 games. They will kick off a three-game series at home with the White Sox, followed by a four-game series at home starting Monday against the Mariners.
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