Yankees Keep It Going, Beat Twins

Beating the Minnesota Twins isn't as much fun as beating the Boston Red Sox. Or the Houston Astros. Or even those pesky Toronto Blue Jays. But a win is a win, and I gladly take it.

Last night, the Yankees opened a 4-game home series with the Minnesota Twins, Jameson Taillon continued his fine pitching, allowing just 1 baserunner, a 1st-inning single, over the 1st 5 1/3rd innings.

He got big backing in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Andrew Velazquez, the kid from The Bronx (some kid: He's 27) led off with a triple. He was driven in by a Kyle Higashioka double. Tyler Wade drew a walk. Luke Voit made his previously-barked case to stay in the lineup with a double to drive home Higgy and Wade. He made it to 3rd base, but for some reason, he got credit for a double, not a triple. Anthony Rizzo hit a sacrifice fly to get Voit home. It was 4-0 Bronx Bombers.

In the bottom of the 4th, Velazquez singled, and Higashioka hit a home run. The biggie from Higgy make it 6-0 Pinstripes.

But Taillon tired in the top of the 6th. After he got a pop fly for the 1st out, he allowed home run, single, double, ground-rule double. It was 6-3, and Aaron Boone brought Wandy Peralta in, and Peralta got the last 2 outs, and also a 1-2-3 7th.

Zack Britton allowed a run in the top of the 8th, and, suddenly, it was 6-4, and the game was back in doubt. But Giancarlo Stanton hit a home run in the bottom of the 8th, and that gave Chad Green a 3-run cushion for the top of the 9th. He got Luis Arraez to fly out. Then he allowed a home run to Miguel Sano, and we all got nervous again. But Green has been a changed man since the Field of Dreams game, and he struck out Brent Rooker and Ryan Jefferson to end it.

Yankees 7, Twins 5. WP: Taillon (8-4). SV: Green (6). LP: John Gant (4-7).

The Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, the Los Angeles Angels in a rainout makeup on Monday, the Boston Red Sox twice on Tuesday and once on Wednesday, and the Minnesota Twins last night. This is the 1st time in the 121-seasonhistory of the American League that a team won 6 games against 4 different teams over a span of 5 days.

This 7-game winning streak has also included saves in 7 straight games, tying a major league record. And it wasn't all the same guy: 3 by Green, and 1 each by Abreu, Peralta, Loaisiga and Luetge. None by the intended closer, Aroldis Chapman.

The series continues tonight. Nestor Cortes starts against Charlie Barnes.