Home runs by three Twins batters in the very first innings set the stage for the Yankees’ 11-2 debacle against Minnesota on Thursday night. Michael Taylor went on to homer twice and drive four runs while making sure New York won’t make a comeback and challenge in the game. It was a dark night in The Bronx, which happens sometimes, but not often when the Twins are on the opposite side.
“I’ve never been a part of an inning, especially right at the beginning of a game, like that,” Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli told. “That’s beyond setting the tone. It’s just a great inning and a memorable one, too.”
The game left 39,024 fans at Yankee Stadium shocked to see that the Yankees team, which had won their first four series of the season, was meekly surrendering to the Twins against whom they boasted a 98-38 record — the best record of any team against another opponent in the same league.
Things were very different on Thursday night. The Yankees were nowhere in the game that witnessed the Twins edging them out in the Bronx with a nine-run first inning. According to Katie Sharp, a statistician, it was the first time since June 18, 2000, that the Yankees gave up nine or more runs in the first inning of a game.
Jhony Brito’s rough night
After winning his first two starts in the major leagues, Jhonny Brito took the mound amid big expectations from the Yankees. However, he gave up seven runs and six hits in two-thirds of an inning, which made his ERA go up from 6.75. The Twins hit his sinker three times and produced three doubles.
The Twins blasted three consecutive home runs knocking the Yankees starter out of the game in the first inning. Brito’s 34th and last pitch was a down-the-middle fastball to No. 9 batter Michael A. Taylor, who launched his first of two home runs to put the Yankees down 7-0 even before many spectators had arrived.
“Just obviously a rough night,” New York manager Aaron Boone said.
The 25-year-old rookie, who had been so impressive in his previous two outings, faced nine batters and got only two outs in a 28-minute first inning. The Twins loaded the bases before scoring five runs on a sacrifice fly and three doubles.
Brito was chased down by Taylor’s home run, and Brewer entered with little time to warm up replacing him. He walked in but failed to stem the tide. Brewer, who had allowed one hit and zero runs in his first five Yankees innings, allowed two more home runs.
The Yankees starter was not lacking his speed and movement but he was hard to control. Even one of the righty’s two outs went 364 feet away before Aaron Judge caught it in deep center. Brito kept putting the ball on the tee, and the Twins raised an ERA that had been 0.90 to 6.75.
The Yankees’ bullpen took control of the game and gave up only two additional runs after that. But the top of the first Twins blazing robbed the Yankees of the game.
Rizzo tried to put up a brave face
The Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo hit two solo home runs in an effort to salvage some pride. The Yankees bats didn’t have much of a chance, and they played like it. This gave Twins starter Joe Ryan seven innings to strike out 10 batters and only let three Yankees reach base.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa debuted as a pitcher in the ninth innings indicating how bad is the Yankees pitching depth. Still, he gave up one hit and 74 mph in a scoreless ninth inning.
A record for Twins
Minnesota had lost 13 of its previous 16 games against the Yankees. But in the top of the first, which took 28 minutes, it scored its most runs against them.
Julien, who got his first league hit in the first inning, hit a solo home run off Colten Brewer to give his team an 8-0 lead. The ball hit a fan’s hand in the first row, and another fan threw it back onto the field, giving it to the 23-year-old. This made him the eighth since 1974 to have his first two hits in one inning.
Starting from July 2014, the Yankees emerged winners in 14 of 16 series they played against the Twins. The Yankees lost to the Twins for the first time since July 14, 1995, that game that saw them giving up 11 runs.
Aaron Judge loses his record streak
Aaron Judge went 0 for 3 and struck out twice, putting an end to his 45-game streak of getting on base. Since 1942, it was the third-longest winning streak by a Yankee. Now he has the third-longest streak for the Yankees behind Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez (2004)
Judge didn’t get on base in a regular-season game for the first time since August 29, 2022. He went 0-for-3 and struck out twice before Aaron Hicks took over in center for the eighth inning. It ended the Yankee’s 45-game streak of getting on base, which was the longest streak in the last 19 years.
O’Neil back in Yankees booth
Paul O’Neill had his first game since 2019 in the YES Network ballpark booth. Since he hadn’t been vaccinated against COVID-19, he broadcasted from his home studio for the past three years.
Yankees injury bag
DJ LeMahieu missed three games in a row while Carlos Rodon is reportedly feeling better after training. But stiffness in his back has slowed him down. He will throw another bullpen on Sunday or Monday. Harrison Bader did batting practice and caught fly balls on the field. Luis Severino threw a bullpen and is ready to throw live practice.
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