Yankees 0-7 Twins: Al East hopes all but gone with shutout loss

New York Yankees 0-7 Minnesota Twins

MINNEAPOLIS — The New York Yankees encountered another September stumble Monday night as Simeon Woods Richardson dismantled their lineup with a career-best 11 strikeouts, powering the Minnesota Twins to a decisive 7-0 triumph at Target Field. Austin Martin collected four RBI while Brooks Lee contributed a homer as the Yankees’ offense remained puzzled following their second consecutive defeat.

Woods Richardson (7-4) surrendered just two hits and three walks through six overpowering innings, extending his late-season excellence against one of baseball’s most productive offenses. The Yankees, who entered with the American League’s highest scoring attack, failed to advance a runner past second base.

The setback dropped New York (83-67) five games behind AL East leader Toronto while reducing their top AL wild card margin to one game over Boston.

Rodón delivers without offensive support

Carlos Rodón (16-9) sought redemption following a difficult Detroit outing and provided six solid innings. He yielded two runs on five hits while striking out six without issuing a walk, but the Yankees’ dormant offense provided zero run support. The performance marked Rodón’s second straight loss — his first such streak since June.

Bullpen collapse continues

Yankees relievers failed to maintain stability, unraveling once again in late innings. Luke Weaver surrendered five seventh-inning runs, inflating his ERA to 6.21 since returning from a hamstring injury June 20. Before the injury, Weaver maintained a 1.05 ERA across 24 appearances. His post-injury regression mirrors the broader Yankees bullpen struggles, posting a 5.45 ERA since the All-Star break — ranking 28th among 30 MLB clubs.

Trevor Larnach and Brooks Lee connected for consecutive doubles in the seventh off Weaver before Martin shattered the contest with a three-run double. Camilo Doval, summoned to halt the damage, allowed an RBI single to Luke Keaschall on his initial pitch.

Offensive drought persists

New York’s lineup, which had produced 21 runs across its previous three contests, appeared overwhelmed. Anthony Volpe was absent from the starting lineup amid continued struggles, batting .173 over his last 38 games. José Caballero, his shortstop replacement, lined a fifth-inning double but was picked off by Woods Richardson, eliminating one of the Yankees’ few scoring opportunities. Paul Goldschmidt and Caballero provided New York’s only hits.

Austin Wells flew out to conclude the fifth inning following Caballero’s mistake, and the Yankees managed just three baserunners throughout the remainder.

Key moments and stat

Trailing 2-0 during the fifth, Caballero’s one-out double appeared to provide the Yankees momentum until Woods Richardson caught him breaking early toward third and executed the pickoff. The blunder removed the potential tying run from scoring position.

Woods Richardson surpassed his previous career-high eight strikeouts by the fourth inning’s conclusion, finishing with 11 while dismantling a Yankees lineup that had powered seven series victories in their past eight sets.

Yankees roster

Up next

Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler (3-3, 3.05 ERA) starts Tuesday’s second game of the three-game Minneapolis series against Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews (4-5, 5.06 ERA).

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