The Yankees were constructed to bludgeon opponents with three-run homers, but those had been in short supply of late. They tried something different early Tuesday night and were rewarded for it, snapping a four-game slide with an 8-4 victory over the Twins at Target Field.
Tyler Wade scored the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice in the eighth inning, forcing a throw from second baseman Jorge Polanco in a frame that was set up by a sacrifice bunt. Earlier, Aaron Judge worked a bases-loaded walk, while Brett Gardner dashed home on a wild pitch and lifted a timely sacrifice fly as the Yanks scratched for runs.
New York broke through against former Yankees starter Michael Pineda in the fifth, loading the bases on a walk and two hits. Judge worked an eight-pitch plate appearance to force home a run, chasing Pineda, and Jorge Alcala bounced a slider to Gleyber Torres that allowed Gardner to dash home.
Gary Sánchez and Miguel Andújar supplied some thunder in the ninth, slugging homers off rookie right-hander Griffin Jax.
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Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].