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This game was a back and forth offensive affair that the Yankees ended up on top of. The Yankees had a total of 14 hits, while the Twins had 11 of their own. Pitching was unspectacular and that doesn't sit well for Ivan Nova as he attempts to make the starting rotation. It might all end well for him, though, since Phil Hughes could start the season on the disabled list.
The Yankees took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Eduardo Nunez singled, stole second, moved to third on a ground ball and scored on a sacrifice fly. Then in the second inning Chris Stewart singled, Thomas Neal doubled and Melky Mesa scored the runner on third to make it 2-0 in favor of the Yankees.
The Twins struck back when Justin Mourneau and Ryan Doumit hit back to back home runs. Then, on top of that, Trevor Plouffe, Wilkin Ramirez and Brandon Boggs all singled and by the end of the inning it was 3-2 Twins.
In the next inning Nunez singled and scored when Corban Joseph hit a triple. Cano then singled to bring him home and make it 4-3 Yankees.
The Twins tied the score in the bottom of the fourth when Ryan Doumit walked, Wilkin Ramirez doubled, and a ground ball scored a run. Then the Yankees immediately took the lead after Joseph doubled, Cano moved him over with a fly ball and Juan Rivera singled. The pitching couldn't hold the lead and after a single, double, HBP and a sac fly it was tied at 5-5.
Then in the 8th inning Reegie Corono walked and stole second. Ben Francisco singled to score a run and Stewart doubled in another run. Mesa and Neal singled and Mustelier hit a double to make the score 9-5.
The Twins scored a run in the 8th after a double, a Dan Johnson error and a single and a run in the 9th after a Dan Rohlfing home run, but the Yankees were able to hold on.
Ivan Nova finished with a line consisting of 5.1 IP, 3 Ks, 7 hits, 4 earned runs, and a walk. Jim Miller followed with 1.2 IP giving up one hit, one walk and collecting one strike out. Branden Pinder pitched an inning and gave up two hits and a run, while Kelvin Perez gave up one hit and one run.
Everyone did a little something today. Both Eduardo Nunez and Reegie Corona stole a base, while the latter had the sole walk of the day. Mustelier had three hits, Nunez, Joseph, and Neal had two hits, and everyone else had one.
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