Gameday Post #6: Minnesota Twins at Yankees

NOTE: I lucked out with the rain-out because there was no gameday post prepared for last night’s game. Also, I may not be working today because of my morning class.

One thing you never want to see is a gem from your ace go to waste. Unfortunately that’s exactly what happened Tuesday night as the Twins rallied late to beat the Yankees 5-4 in ten innings. CC Sabathia did his part, putting together a two-hit shutout through seven innings. Mark Teixeira hit his 4th HR in five games and Andruw Jones went deep in his first at-bat as a Yankee to make up the offensive output. But it would be the bullpen who lost this game. While Boone Logan gave up the winning run and took the loss, it was Rafael Soriano’s abysmal performance in the 8th inning that ultimately cost CC his first win of the season. The $39 million set-up man was charged with four runs on one — yes, ONE — hit with three walks. It did not help matters when Soriano ducked out after the game without talking to reporters (an act he has since apologized for).

With Wednesday’s postponement, Freddy Garcia will be skipped this time around. A.J. Burnett will take the mound against Francisco Liriano on Thursday afternoon.

*****

A.L. EAST STANDINGS

Baltimore………..4-1

Toronto…………..4-1

NEW YORK………3-2 (1.0 GB)

Boston…………….0-5 (4.0 GB)

Tampa Bay……….0-5 (4.0 GB)

DATE: Thursday, April 7

TIME: 1:05pm

TV/RADIO: YES, WCBS 880, WADO 1280 (Spanish)

PITCHING PROBABLES

MIN: Francisco Liriano (0-1, 8.31 ERA)

NYY: A.J. Burnett (1-0, 5.40 ERA)

PITCHING PREVIEW (from MLB.com)

Francisco Liriano (MIN): Liriano had control problems in his first start of the season when he walked five in just 4 1/3 innings, while also giving up two homers in a loss to the Jays. He is 0-2 with a 3.12 ERA against the Yankees in his career.

A.J. Burnett (NYY): Burnett will look to build on his victorious five innings of three-run ball against the Tigers despite illness and a lack of stamina. Burnett was 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA in two starts against the Twins in 2010.

LINEUPS

Twins (2-3)

Span CF

Nishioka 2B

Mauer C

Morneau 1B

Thome DH

Cuddyer RF

Kubel LF

Valencia 3B

Casilla SS

Yankees (3-2)

Jeter SS

Swisher RF

Teixeira 1B

Rodriguez 3B

Cano 2B

Posada DH

Jones LF

Martin C

Gardner CF

MILESTONE TRACKER

Derek Jeter: 1-4, BB, R — 71 hits from 3,000

Mariano Rivera: 1 IP, H, 2 K — 38 saves from 600, 40 saves from all-time record

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