MINNEAPOLIS — That’s more like the Twins the Yankees have come to know … and beat up on.
After a brutal stretch for their offense over the better part of the last two weeks, the Yankees’ bats finally broke out in a big way on Wednesday afternoon, leading to a 12-6 win over the Twins at Target Field that snapped a three-game losing streak.
The Yankees (14-11) pounded out a season-high 14 hits to score a season-high 12 runs, which was more than the eight they had pushed across in their previous five games combined.
In the process, the offense was able to breathe again as the Yankees avoided being swept by the Twins (14-11) in a three-game series for the first time since 1991.
“This was big-time,” said Aaron Judge, who survived an injury scare on his 31st birthday and went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and three RBIs. “We went out there and executed our plan. I feel like the past couple games, couple series, we’ve been a little passive and almost letting the pitcher dictate the at-bat and flow of the game. Today, we were able to get out there and putting up a five-spot in the second inning, that lets any pitcher relax … and then it allows our offense to relax and not feel like they gotta step up there and hit a grand slam every single pitch.”
Anthony Volpe continued to produce out of the leadoff spot, reaching base four times with two hits, two walks, three RBIs and three runs.
Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo hits a two-run double during the fourth inning. APGleyber Torres added his first two extra-base hits in 14 games — including a two-run homer.
It was more than enough offense for Domingo German, though in six-plus innings, the right-hander gave up six runs — and three home runs, including a two-run moonshot to Joey Gallo.
“Nice to have everyone up and down the lineup contributing,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Good to salvage something here after a couple tough days.”
The Yankees have received poor production from the bottom half of their lineup for most of the season, but they got the scoring going on Wednesday with some small-ball against Twins right-hander Kenta Maeda, who gave up 10 runs on 11 hits over three-plus innings.
Torres led off the second inning with a hustle double on a ground ball up the middle and took third base on a throwing error.
Domingo German was bailed out by the Yankees’ offense. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConHe came in to score on Willie Calhoun’s single to first base, which Gallo knocked down but then threw to the wrong person covering the bag.
A bunt single from Isiah Kiner-Falefa and a walk by Oswaldo Cabrera loaded the bases with one out for Volpe, who delivered an RBI single the other way for the 2-0 lead.
“Everyone’s approach was really, really good,” Volpe said. “Everyone was aggressive and when up and down the lineup we got guys putting together really good at-bats, especially early with not that many outs in the inning, it allows us to get really aggressive and put the pressure on.”
Gleyber Torres added a pair of extra-base hits in the Yankees’ offensive explosion. Getty ImagesJudge came up next and hooked his second double of the day to left field. This one cleared the bases to make it 5-0.
Judge was then thrown out trying to steal third.
He appeared to jam his hand in the process, but ultimately remained in the game.
Kyle Higashioka started the Yankees’ six-run rally in the fourth inning with a leadoff single, followed by another bunt single from Cabrera, with both advancing a base on a throwing error. Volpe knocked both in with a double to the gap for the 7-1 lead.
After Judge walked, Anthony Rizzo roped a two-run double to the gap before Torres capped off the outburst with a two-run home run to the second deck in left field to make it 11-1. It was his first home run since April 3.
“It would have been a sad birthday if we would have gotten swept here in Minnesota,” Judge said. “But the guys showed up. They went out there and did their job. We gotta build off this and keep it rolling against a good team in Texas.”






