Giancarlo Stanton’s HR, Carlos Rodón’s 6-plus strong innings power Yankees past Twins 5-1

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Giancarlo Stanton sent the ball soaring over the fence for a home run, while Carlos Rodón recovered from a shaky start to deliver six-plus solid innings as the New York Yankees secured a 5-1 victory against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.

Adding to the Yankees’ offensive prowess, Alex Verdugo smashed a two-run double, contributing to their impressive streak of nine wins in the last twelve games. Their dominance in Minnesota was evident once again, boasting a remarkable 29-15 record all-time at Target Field, the highest winning percentage of any visiting team at the ballpark.

Rodón, despite surrendering a leadoff home run to Ryan Jeffers in the first inning, found his rhythm and allowed just three hits in the frame. The left-hander, aged 31, showcased his resilience by retiring 11 consecutive batters before being replaced in the seventh inning following a leadoff single by Carlos Santana.

Reflecting on his performance, Rodón emphasized the need to maintain focus, especially after the initial setback. He continued his stellar season, holding opponents to two runs or less in seven out of his ten starts.

The Yankees’ bullpen also played a crucial role, with Ian Hamilton and Clay Holmes stepping up to preserve the lead. Hamilton’s strong outing earned praise from Yankees manager Aaron Boone, highlighting his ability to generate both strikeouts and weak contact.

On the Twins’ side, Chris Paddack endured a challenging outing, conceding a career-high 12 hits and five runs over five innings. Manager Rocco Baldelli acknowledged the defensive lapses and emphasized the need for sharper play in the upcoming games.

New York capitalized on the early deficit, scoring twice in the second inning with a sacrifice fly by Oswaldo Cabrera and an RBI double by Anthony Volpe. Stanton further extended their lead with a mammoth 427-foot home run into the Twins’ bullpen.

Looking ahead, the Twins will turn to RHP Pablo López in the middle game of the series, while the Yankees will rely on RHP Marcus Stroman to continue their winning momentum.