Yesterday, Americans attended barbecues, tore around on jet skis, and partied under fireworks for the country’s 250th birthday. Or, they took their sister’s Goldendoodle on 12 miles worth of walks, then got takeout supper and continued a Star Trek: The Original Series re-watch (& checked in on the Rocky & Twilight Zone marathons). Freedom, and all that.
But as was once said about President Ronald Reagan, it’s a new morning in America. What would the sunrise bring for MN? Well, how about 250 years
of Minnesota Twins dominance over the New York Yankees!
After boat-racing the Yanks yesterday, the Twins got off to a fast start in this contest too when New York SP Ryan Weathers’ first offering was slapped into RF by Austin Martin for a double. This was quickly followed by a newly-minted-All-Star Byron Buxton single and it looked like MN would never make an out against NYY again—until Kody Clemens K’d and Buck was caught stealing for the first time since 5/1/24. Ugh. You also won’t hear Buxton’s name again in this recap until the Duds (double ugh).
Fortunately, Josh “Liberty” Bell saved the rally with a ringing (heh, heh) single that NY RF Max Schuemann couldn’t quite reel in. 1-0 MN.
As also-newly-minted-All-Star SP Joe Ryan looked sharp foiling Yankee bats in the early goings, the Twins went back on the attack in T4: a Royce Lewis walk led to his advance to 2B on a wild pitch which led to his coming around to score on a Brooks Lee base knock. 2-0 MN.
Right back on the attack in T5: the Twins loaded the bases with two outs and Lewis didn’t fall into the trap—instead knocking a solid single up the middle to drive two visitors across home plate! 4-0 MN.
Then, some circus baseball in T6: an Anthony Volpe error at shortstop…a horrible Luke Keaschall bunt that someone resulted in a hit…a bases-loaded walk to Martin…a well-struck Clemens sac fly. Boo birds were echoing through Yankee Stadium 3.0. 6-0 MN.
Meanwhile, the reason no Yankee offense has been discussed heretofore is because Ryan continued his Bronx brilliance. New York put a couple runners on base with two outs in B7, but our oh-so-much-more-than-average Joe made Amed Rosario look foolish on a filthy slider for this final line: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K.
Andrew Morris hurled a crisp, clean 8th inning, followed by Yoendrys Gomez losing the battle (shutout effort) but winning the war (ballgame) in the 9th.
Your Final: Minnesota Twins 6, New York Yankees 1
The Twins exorcised some demons by winning road series against the Astros & Yankees (the latter of those the first time since 2014). A new morning, indeed! Time for Goldendoodle walk number two on the day—with a smile on my face all the way.
Zach’s Zealot
- The United States of America: Our grand Democratic Republic experiment somehow made it through 250 years! I always wonder what the Founding Fathers would think—good or bad—about the nation they got off the ground. Perhaps when I reboot Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone that can be my first episode.
Zach’s Zombie
- Byron Buxton’s removal from this contest: After hitting the ground hard in T1 on a caught-stealing attempt, Buck left this contest with a re-aggravation of his troublesome hip. Tomorrow’s off day will presumably provide further evaluation and decisions on a potential IL stint.
Egg-cellent Elocution
- JustAnotherMinnesotan2 says what Twins fans have wanted to vocalize since the Knoblauch Hot Dog Incident of ‘01 or Jason Giambi’s Big Blast in ‘02.
Who’s Got Next
- After Monday off, the Twins are back at the homestead for three games with the Cleveland Guardians (Tues. night, Wed. night, Thurs. afternoon)
