MINNEAPOLIS — As the Yankees got ready for their game on Tuesday, the visiting clubhouse at Target Field still had the lingering scent of old champagne. The carpet was damp from a cleaning earlier, a remnant of the recent celebration after clinching a playoff spot.
Still, there was no hint of a hangover; instead, the Yankees resumed their focus in what their manager described as an “uphill battle” to catch the Rays for the division title.
Cody Bellinger and Spencer Jones each hit home runs, while Max Fried delivered his best performance since returning from the injured list. Thanks to their contributions, the Yankees defeated the Twins decisively, 8-1.
The main concern for the Yankees (88-63) was that the Rays kept winning, highlighted by another walk-off home run from Junior Caminero. This left the Yankees 3.5 games behind first place in the AL East with only 11 games remaining. With a four-game series against the Rays on the horizon, their odds of catching up seemed to dwindle each day.
“We’ve got to show up and win,” Bellinger remarked after going 3-for-4 with a walk. “We expect to win every day, and we need to keep this momentum going.”
At least for the moment, the Yankees took care of business against their longtime rivals, the Twins (70-81), while also moving six games ahead of the Red Sox for the top AL wild card spot.
Fried was given a 2-0 lead right from the start, thanks to Bellinger’s two-run homer in the first inning. From there, the left-hander dominated, completing seven innings for the first time since April 22. He earned his first win since April 27, allowing just one run and six hits without walking anyone, while striking out six on 88 pitches.
“It felt great to finally put together a complete start,” Fried said, acknowledging he was still mindful of his pitch count in his fourth outing since a second stint on the injured list due to a left elbow injury. “I’m pleased with where I am, but I recognize there’s still room for improvement. I want to be sharp as we head into a big series against Tampa.”
The Yankees supported Fried well at the plate, racking up 14 hits against the Twins’ right-hander Bailey Ober and their bullpen. Each player in the starting lineup had at least one hit, with Heliot Ramos, George Lombard Jr., and Anthony Volpe reaching base three times each.
In the sixth inning, Jones hit a decisive three-run homer off lefty Taylor Rogers, pushing the Yankees’ lead to 7-1. This blast was particularly impressive, as Rogers had not allowed a home run to a left-handed batter all season up to that point. For Jones, it was his third home run against left-handers this season, bringing his batting average to .435 with a 1.251 OPS in 46 at-bats against them, solidifying his spot in the lineup against coming lefty pitchers.
“It’s been fantastic watching him develop,” said manager Aaron Boone. “I know the numbers are impressive… but he’s shown he can handle some very good lefties. This was a significant homer off a tough pitcher.”
Earlier in the same inning, Ramos also made an impact, hitting an RBI double that contributed to the Yankees’ 4-1 lead.
Wearing No. 21 in honor of his fellow Puerto Rican and inspiration on Roberto Clemente Day, Ramos went 2-for-4 with a walk while starting in place of Aaron Judge, who rested for the day.
Ramos, who is competing with Jones for postseason starts against left-handers, mentioned it was an adjustment not to play every day since he was acquired at the trade deadline. Nevertheless, he has improved recently, boasting a .275 batting average and .896 OPS over his last 16 games.
“I work hard every day, regardless of what’s happening,” Ramos stated. “Honestly, I try to stay positive and cheer for the team. I love winning and being here—that’s what really matters to me right now.”
