Jaime Garcia Set For Opener As New York Takes On Minnesota
Jaime Garcia will be facing a familiar team Monday night when Minnesota visits Yankee Stadium to start a three-game series as he was a member of Minnesota for a short period of time before being traded to New York.
The Twins will begin a 10-game road trip with a crucial three-game set at Yankee Stadium, with right-hander Ervin Santana slated to start opposite former Minnesota lefty Jaime Garcia in Monday's MLB Network Showcase Game. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170917254740620/wild-matchup-on-tap-as-yankees-twins-clash/?game_pk=492345
This three-game tilt between the two clubs is a potential American League Wild Card Game preview. The Yankees hold the top AL Wild Card spot by four games over the Twins, while Minnesota has a two-game advantage over the Angels for the second spot. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170917254740620/wild-matchup-on-tap-as-yankees-twins-clash/?game_pk=492345
It could be a really good experience for a lot of these young guys," Twins catcher Chris Gimenez said. "It's a good experience because emotions run when there is energy in the stadium like that. You have to be able to continue to slow the game down and do what you have always done." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170917254740620/wild-matchup-on-tap-as-yankees-twins-clash/?game_pk=492345
Garcia (5-9, 4.35 ERA) pitched one game for the Twins, in which he defeated the Athletics on July 28, before he was dealt with the Yankees on July 30. With New York, Garcia is 0-2 with a 4.60 ERA over six starts. The veteran southpaw is yet to throw six innings with the Yankees. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170917254740620/wild-matchup-on-tap-as-yankees-twins-clash/?game_pk=492345
Meanwhile, Santana (15-7, 3.35) has been strong since the start of August with a 3.30 ERA over nine starts. He is 4-0 in that span and the Twins are 7-2 with him on the mound. Santana has pitched at least six innings in eight of his last 10 outings. He will have a tough task, however, against a Yankees lineup that has found rhythm of late. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170917254740620/wild-matchup-on-tap-as-yankees-twins-clash/?game_pk=492345
"We're on a nice little run right now," New York third baseman Todd Frazier said. "We understand what we're capable of and we get runs by the bunches. It's been a lot of fun to watch and be a part of." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170917254740620/wild-matchup-on-tap-as-yankees-twins-clash/?game_pk=492345
C Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka are set to pitch the final two games of the series on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, for the Yankees. Manager Joe Girardi indicated that Luis Severino, who has never faced the Twins, could be an option to start the finale if New York dropped the first two games of the series, though. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170917254740620/wild-matchup-on-tap-as-yankees-twins-clash/?game_pk=492345
"If he starts on Wednesday, it would be three starts [before the end of the season] and he would be available the final weekend," Girardi said. "Right now, we're planning on Tanaka for Wednesday, but I could change my mind." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170917254740620/wild-matchup-on-tap-as-yankees-twins-clash/?game_pk=492345
Santana has faced the Yankees 19 times in his career. He is 6-9 with a 5.78 ERA over a total of 113 2/3 innings. Santana's last win against New York came on June 19, 2016, when he allowed two earned runs in 7 1/3 innings. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170917254740620/wild-matchup-on-tap-as-yankees-twins-clash/?game_pk=492345
Jacoby Ellsbury has a Yankees-high 36 career at-bats against Santana, posting a .278 batting average with a home run. Brett Gardner is hitting .321 with three doubles in 28 at-bats against the Twins right-hander. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170917254740620/wild-matchup-on-tap-as-yankees-twins-clash/?game_pk=492345
As for New York's last game, They were denied the sweep of Baltimore Sunday.
Since being traded from Oakland at the July 31st trade deadline to New York Sonny Gray has received little run support but also had some tough outings along the way and that continued in the finale against Baltimore.
New York won the season series but was denied the sweep Sunday as Baltimore won the finale as Sonny Gray had a tough outing Sunday at Yankee Stadium as the chase for the postseason continued for New York
After watching Aaron Judge thump his pitching staff all season, Orioles manager Buck Showalter decided that he wanted no part of him with the game on the line on Sunday afternoon, intentionally walking the rookie slugger to bring the potential winning run to the plate in the ninth inning. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
Showalter's gamble paid off. Zach Britton struck out Gary Sanchez to pin two runners on, closing out the Orioles' 6-4 victory over the Yankees as Baltimore salvaged the finale of a four-game series at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
They're both really good hitters. I have confidence in Zach with either one," Showalter said. "It came up heads today. Tomorrow might be tails. They're both really good hitters and a threat, having a big year, and they're going to have great careers. You're really just picking your poison there." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
With the loss, the Yankees remained three games behind the Red Sox in the American League East, as Boston dropped a 3-2 decision to the Rays at Tropicana Field. New York has a four-game lead over the Twins for the first AL Wild Card spot. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
"I was ready for the battle," Sanchez said through an interpreter. "If they were not going to pitch to him, they were going to pitch to me. I was ready for it, but unfortunately, I couldn't do it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
Tim Beckham hit a three-run homer in support of Ubaldo Jimenez's 10-strikeout effort as the Orioles battered Sonny Gray for five runs and six hits over four innings. The right-hander absorbed his sixth loss in nine starts since being acquired by New York prior to the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
"I just wasn't sharp from the beginning," Gray said. "Losing is tough. We played a pretty good series and we could have really capped it off nicely with a win today, but unfortunately, that didn't happen." "I just wasn't sharp from the beginning," Gray said. "Losing is tough. We played a pretty good series and we could have really capped it off nicely with a win today, but unfortunately, that didn't happen." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
The Yankees were unable to solve Jimenez, who permitted just Didi Gregorius' second-inning homer in a five-inning effort. Jimenez scattered three hits with a walk, tossing 100 pitches (54 strikes) before turning the game over to Baltimore's bullpen. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
Gregorius' homer was his 24th of the season, equaling Derek Jeter's 1999 mark for the most single-season homers hit by a Yankees shortstop. Gregorius has homered in three consecutive games. Matt Holliday added a two-run double in the sixth inning off Mychal Givens and Starlin Castro lifted an eighth-inning sacrifice fly off Brad Brach. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
"It's obviously good when you win," Britton said. "It's a disappointing series, a disappointing road trip, but go home and try to win as many games as we can from here on out and hope that other teams get cold and get on a losing streak. But it's going to be a challenge." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
Beckham has been one of the more productive hitters in the O's lineup since being acquired from the Rays on July 31, belting his 10th homer as an Oriole in the fourth inning off Gray. Beckham's three-run blast came on an 83.9-mph slider and cleared the left-field bullpen, staking Baltimore to a commanding 5-1 lead at the time. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
"Coming off a hot August like we had, it was definitely a grind," Beckham said. "As hitters, we didn't put up numbers like we normally do, but that's the game of baseball. You want to come back and grind it out and come back and be ready to work the next day. And know that it just takes one hit, one ball on the barrel to get you locked in." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
Beckham has been one of the more productive hitters in the O's lineup since being acquired from the Rays on July 31, belting his 10th homer as an Oriole in the fourth inning off Gray. Beckham's three-run blast came on an 83.9-mph slider and cleared the left-field bullpen, staking Baltimore to a commanding 5-1 lead at the time. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
Judge destroyed Baltimore pitching this season, batting .426 (26-for-61) with 11 homers and 24 RBIs against the Birds, so Showalter had no issue instructing Britton to give him a free pass in the ninth, even though he knew Britton would not be happy about it. Britton whiffed Sanchez on a 96.5-mph fastball for the final out, leaving Jacoby Ellsbury on third base and Judge at first. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
"It's not something I would have chosen, but now with the [intentional walk] rule, it kind of surprises you for a second," Britton said. "But I just figured I had to get Sanchez. Obviously, I wanted to attack Judge. I like my chances there. But it's not my call." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
"You feel pretty good. Sanchez is a really good hitter with a lot of power. I know Britton is tough and he doesn't give up a lot of fly balls, but it takes one mistake. He didn't make one. Credit him, he didn't make a mistake, he kept it down in the zone."
-- Yankees manager Joe Girardi "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
New York scored 153 runs and hit 46 homers against the Orioles this season. Those are the most runs and homers hit by any team against any single opponent in the Expansion Era (since 1961). "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/254759746/beckhams-homer-lifts-os-over-yanks-in-finale/
With the loss, New York drops to 82-67 and is now three games back of their rival Boston who is leading the American League East with a record of 85-64.
As for Minnesota, they won the finale against Toronto Sunday.
The Twins erased an early five-run deficit with a pair of huge innings to power past the Blue Jays, 13-7, on Sunday at Target Field. With the win, Minnesota split the four-game set and increased its lead over the Angels for the second American League Wild Card spot to two games. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
Minnesota batted around in both the second and fifth innings, pouring in seven and six runs in each frame, respectively. Eddie Rosario and Byron Buxton hit back-to-back homers in the second, while Buxton added a RBI double later in the inning. Rosario went deep again in the fifth after a grand slam by Joe Mauer Both Buxton and Mauer finished a triple shy of the cycle. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
It proved to be more than enough run support to back Minnesota right-hander Kyle Gibson, who recovered after surrendering five runs in the first two innings. Gibson retired the final 13 batters he faced before exiting after six innings, during which he allowed three hits and five walks while striking out eight. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
"This one in some ways is maybe a little more impressive," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said of Gibson. "To give us six innings after that start was pretty good for us. We found a way to win one of the bigger [deficits] we faced in the last couple weeks." "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
Josh Donaldson belted a pair of homers in his first two at-bats against Gibson. The former AL Most Valuable Player notched his fifth multi-homer game of the season and second in as many days. Donaldson, who has 30 dingers this season, became just the second Blue Jays player to hit 30 or more home runs in each of his first three seasons with the club. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
Blue Jays starter Joe Biagini took the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) in 1 1/3 innings, while reliever Chris Rowley allowed all six Twins runs in the fifth inning. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
"I put them in a tough position for what they want to do," Biagini said. "I don't blame them for taking me out. I wish I would have gotten a chance to stay in, fight through it and limit the damage. But I understand what they're thinking, so I don't blame anybody." "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
Mauer delivered the Twins' biggest blow during the six-run fifth with a grand slam off Rowley. Mauer's homer had an exit velocity of 104.7 mph and traveled 398 feet, according to Statcast It was his fourth career grand slam and first since Sept. 1, 2012. The Twins have hit four grand slams this season, all of which have come since Aug. 8. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
"[Bases-loaded situations] are fun," Mauer said. "You try not to do anything more than you need to. Hitting the home run was great, but I was just trying to get a good pitch. I try not to do too much in those situations. Today it just worked out that way. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
Donaldson obliterated a fastball from Gibson to give the Blue Jays a 1-0 advantage with one out in the first inning. According to Statcast™, Donaldson's homer traveled 481 feet with an exit velocity of 113.5 mph. It matched his longest homer tracked by Statcast™ (since 2015) and was his hardest-hit homer as well. It also tied for the seventh-longest hit in all of baseball this season. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
"Yeah, that was a bomb," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He can do that, though. We've seen him do that. He's a special player." "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
Donaldson obliterated a fastball from Gibson to give the Blue Jays a 1-0 advantage with one out in the first inning. According to Statcast™, Donaldson's homer traveled 481 feet with an exit velocity of 113.5 mph. It matched his longest homer tracked by Statcast™ (since 2015) and was his hardest-hit homer as well. It also tied for the seventh-longest hit in all of the baseball this season. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
"Yeah, that was a bomb," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He can do that, though. We've seen him do that. He's a special player." "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
Mauer, 34, is the oldest Twin to hit a grand slam since Molitor hit one at 40 years old on April 3, 1997, vs. Detroit. "according to http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/254800160/twins-offense-thrives-in-finale-vs-blue-jays/
With the win, Minnesota improved to 78-71 on the season and is now 14.5 games back of Cleveland who is leading the American League Central with a record of 93-57.
Right-hander Ervin Santana will get the start for Minnesota. He has a record of 15-7 with a 3.35 earn run average. Santana spun six shutout innings against the Padres in his last start. He has lasted at least six frames in five of his previous six outings. Santana has faced the Yankees 19 times in his career posting a 6-9 record with a 5.78 earn run average. He will go up against New York left-hander Jaime Garcia who has a record of 5-9 with a 4.35 earn run average. Garcia made just one start for the Twins, a July 28th outing in which he defeated the Athletics before being traded to the Yankees. With New York, he is 0-2 with a 4.60 earn run average in six starts. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/twins-vs-yankees/2017/09/18/492345#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492345
First pitch is set for 7:05 pm. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/twins-vs-yankees/2017/09/18/492345#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492345