It's All In How You Look At It

An optimist would look at yesterday afternoon's game, and note that the Yankees scored 12 runs.

A pessimist would look at the entire 3-game series at Target Field in Minneapolis, see the 5 runs scored in yesterday's 2nd inning and the 6 scored in the 4th, and note that, in the other 25 innings combined, the Yankees scored a total of 4 runs, and points out that this isn't good enough.

The Yankees struck early against Minnesota Twins starter Kenta Maeda, who left the game after 3 innings due to an injury. He may already have been hurt, which could explain why the Yankees hit him so hard.

They got 5 runs in the 2nd inning, including a bases-loaded double by Aaron Judge on his 31st birthday. They got 6 more in the 4th, thanks to RBI doubles by Anthony Volpe and Anthony Rizzo and a home run by Gleyber Torres.

An 11-1 lead should have been plenty for starting pitcher Domingo Germán to work with. But he gave up 3 homers on the afternoon, allowing the Twins to close to within 11-6 by the time he left after 6 innings. Fortunately, Ian Hamilton and Clay Holmes were able to pitch the last 3 innings, allowing only 1 baserunner. And the Yankees picked up another run in the 8th, on a sacrifice fly by DJ LeMahieu.

Yankees 12, Twins 6. WP: Germán (2-2). No save. LP: Meada (0-4). It should be pointed out that the Twins ended the game at 14-11, the same record as the Yankees, and in 1st place in the American League Central Division. In contrast, the Yankees are 6 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East. It's all in how you look at it.

The Yankees now move on to Texas. That is due to a regularly scheduled 4-game series against the Rangers, not a punishment for poor play.