MINNEAPOLIS — The New York Yankees continued their strong September run Tuesday night, overpowering the Minnesota Twins 8-1 at Target Field behind home runs from Cody Bellinger and Spencer Jones and a dominant performance from starting pitcher Max Fried.
The victory was New York’s third straight and seventh in its last eight games. The Yankees improved to 88-63 and remained 3½ games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East with 11 games remaining.
For Minnesota, the loss dropped the Twins to 70-81 and marked their seventh defeat in their last nine games.
Bellinger strikes first
The Yankees wasted little time getting their offense going.
After Ben Rice singled to begin the game, Cody Bellinger launched a two-run home run in the first inning, giving New York an early 2-0 advantage.
It was Bellinger’s 16th homer of the season, continuing a productive stretch since his return from the injured list. Bellinger finished the night 3-for-4 with a walk, providing the Yankees with a consistent presence throughout the lineup.
The Twins answered in the second inning when Emmanuel Rodriguez delivered an RBI single, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
New York, however, quickly restored its two-run advantage. George Lombard Jr. singled home another run in the third, putting the Yankees ahead 3-1.
Jones blows the game open
The decisive moment came in the sixth inning.
With the Yankees holding a 3-1 lead, Spencer Jones stepped to the plate against Twins reliever Taylor Rogers and crushed a three-run home run to center field.
The blast traveled an estimated 423 feet, turning a close game into a 6-1 Yankees advantage and giving New York control of the game.
The Yankees added another run in the sixth and one more in the ninth to complete the 8-1 victory.
Jones’ performance was another encouraging sign for New York as the rookie continues to make an impact. His three-run homer was his third home run against a left-handed pitcher this season.
Fried delivers his best start in months
While the Yankees’ home runs provided the fireworks, Max Fried quietly delivered one of his best outings since returning from injury.
The left-hander allowed one run on six hits over seven innings, striking out six without issuing a walk. He threw 88 pitches and earned his first victory since April 27, improving his record to 5-4.
It was Fried’s longest outing in nearly five months.
Ryan Yarbrough completed the victory by throwing two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
The Yankees’ pitching staff held Minnesota to just one run, allowing the offense plenty of room to work with.
Twins struggle to generate offense
Minnesota managed seven hits, but much of the lineup struggled to turn those hits into runs.
Emmanuel Rodriguez provided the Twins’ lone RBI, while Luke Keaschall also collected multiple hits. The Twins were unable to sustain rallies against Fried and the Yankees’ bullpen.
Bailey Ober took the loss after allowing three runs on nine hits over 5⅓ innings. He kept Minnesota within striking distance for much of the game, but the Yankees broke things open after he departed.
Yankees keep rolling toward October
The win came just one day after New York officially secured a postseason berth.
The Yankees celebrated Monday night after clinching at least a wild-card spot, but Tuesday’s performance showed that the team has little interest in slowing down with the regular season winding down.
New York’s offense produced 14 hits, with Bellinger, Jones, Heliot Ramos, George Lombard Jr. and Anthony Volpe all contributing multiple hits.
The Yankees now have an opportunity to complete a three-game sweep of Minnesota.
What’s next?
The Yankees and Twins wrap up their series Wednesday afternoon at Target Field. Carlos Rodón is scheduled to start for New York against Minnesota’s Zebby Matthews. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET.
For Minnesota, the finale offers an opportunity to stop New York’s momentum. For the Yankees, it is another chance to continue building toward October.
Final: Yankees 8, Twins 1.
