Yankees at Twins
Didi Gregorius recorded a career-best five-hit performance and drove in seven runs to help the New York Yankees overcome a six-run deficit and even their series with the Minnesota Twins at one win apiece. Gregorius and the Yankees will look to provide an encore on Wednesday night when the division-leading clubs reconvene at Target Field.
Gregorius sandwiched two-run doubles around his 100th career homer before scoring the go-ahead run on Gleyber Torres' RBI single in the 10th inning in New York's 14-12 win on Tuesday. Former Twin Aaron Hicks extended the contest with a two-run homer in the ninth inning before his game-ending diving catch in center field with the bases loaded in the 10th preserved the sixth win in eight outings for the American League East-leading Yankees. The AL Central-leading Twins have belted nine homers in the last two games, with Miguel Sano launching a three-run blast and two-run shot on Tuesday to reach 100 in his career. Nelson Cruz and Jorge Polanco carry respective seven- and six-game hitting streaks into the finale after going deep in back-to-back contests for Minnesota, which has lost six of its last nine.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, WPIX (New York), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH J.A. Happ (8-5, 4.86 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (11-4, 3.18)
Happ snapped a three-start winless skid on Friday by striking out eight batters while pitching two-run ball over five innings in an 8-2 romp against Colorado. The 36-year-old wasn't as fortunate in his previous encounter with Minnesota, as he surrendered two homers and four runs total in 5 2/3 frames of a 7-3 setback on May 4. Mitch Garver, who joined C.J. Cron in taking Happ deep in that contest, is 5-for-12 in his career versus the hurler.
Odorizzi has surrendered six homers in his last four starts to double his season total, which was accumulated over 15 trips to the mound. The 29-year-old kept the Yankees in check in their lone meeting this season, allowing just two hits while striking out eight in six scoreless innings on May 4. Odorizzi, who has flustered Edwin Encarnacion (7-for-40) and Brett Gardner (6-for-32), sports a 7-8 mark with a 4.06 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 17 career appearances (16 starts) versus New York.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York RF Aaron Judge has recorded 28 hits, 16 RBIs and 17 runs scored in his last 22 games.
2. Minnesota RF Max Kepler has hit safely in 16 of his last 19 contests.
3. Encarnacion is 14-for-32 with two homers, nine RBIs and seven runs scored versus the Twins this season.