Miguel Andujar, New York Yankees
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

How do you break out of a slump? Miguel Andujar, Didi Gregorius, and Giancarlo Stanton shared their advice in the New York Yankees’ 14-1 bludgeoning of the Minnesota Twins Monday night.

  • New York Yankees 14 (12-9)
  • Minnesota Twins 1 (8-9)
  • W: Masahiro Tanaka (3-2, 5.28 ERA) 
  • L: Jake Odorizzi (1-2, 4.50 ERA)
  • AL, Final, Box Score
  • Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York

A night after wrapping up a four-game series victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Yankees began another four-game set tonight with a bang, pounding the Minnesota Twins into submission by a score of 14-1.

Masahiro Tanaka was back to his excellent self, pitching into the seventh as he collected his third victory of the season. As for the Bomber bats, Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar, and Didi Gregorius had huge nights as they and the rest of the offense put a Boogie Down Beat Down on the Twinkies.

Highlights

Shaky Jakey

While Tanaka worked an uneventful first inning, the Bomber bats jumped on Twins starter Jake Odorizzi for a few early runs in his half of the first.

Brett Gardner worked a four-pitch leadoff walk, advancing to second when Giancarlo Stanton drew a two-out walk two batters later. The next batter Gary Sanchez unloaded on an Odorizzi fastball and drilled it off of the center field wall, scoring both runners to make it an early 2-0 Yankee lead.

Following suit, former Twin Aaron Hicks smoked a single into right that plated Sanchez from second to open it up to a three-run lead. All in all, the Yankee offense forced Odorizzi to throw 34 pitches in just the first inning.

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Gettin’ Miggy With It

The early struggles continued for Odorizzi in the bottom of the second when he squared off against the red-hot Miguel Andujar who did this.

The long ball was Miggy’s 11th extra-base hit of the young season, forcing all Yankee fans to forget about his rough start.

I’m not sure what the Yankees are planning to do when Brandon Drury gets back, but the 23-year old is certainly making a real strong case that his playing time shouldn’t be affected when that situation does arise.

In fact, all you need to know about Andujar’s hot streak can be found right here.

A Stanton Ovation

After Tanaka surrendered a run to the Twins in the top of the fifth that made it 4-1 game, Odorizzi hung a breaking ball to Giancarlo Stanton in the bottom half of the frame that just landed.

So loud.

Not only did the homer get that one run back for the Yankees, but it also officially ended the night for Jake Odorizzi. Trevor Hildenberger came on in relief of Odorizzi and walked Sanchez before getting Hicks to strike out to end the inning.

Masterful Masa

While Jake Odorizzi was getting stomped on like a doormat all night long, Masahiro Tanaka was terrific tonight as he gave way to the bullpen in the top of the seventh.

Tanaka retired the first two batters of the frame before walking Ryan LaMarre, prompting manager Aaron Boone to call it a night for Tanaka. He handed things over to Chad Green, departing with a final line of 6.2 IP, 3H, 2 BB, 5 K.

Although Green did allow a rare free pass, the Yankee relief ace got the next batter Brian Dozier to pop out to end the threat and the frame.

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Pouring It On

As if a four-run lead wasn’t sage enough for them, the Bombers piled on two more in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Aaron Judge got things going with a ringing double to center field, scoring when Stanton singled to left two batters later to make it a five-run lead. After Aaron Hicks worked a walk to advance Stanton to second, Tyler Austin roasted a double to right that plated both Stanton and Hicks to make it 8-1 good guys.

Welcome to the Show

The rookie phenom Gleyber Torres took two nights worth of at-bats to do it, but the 21-year old finally put his name in the record book under the hit column.

What a feeling it must be to get your first knock in The Show.

Yes In-Didi

After Torres’ first big league knock, Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge reached base to load them up for Sir Didi Gregorius. The Bronx Knight had some grand plans for the pitch as the shortstop launched it for a grand slam.

Then from the “things you don’t see everyday department”, the Twins brought their centerfielder Ryan LaMarre in to face Tyler Austin, who did exactly what you are supposed to do against a position player on the bump.

With a ridiculous 13-run lead, Chad Green and David Hale combined to shut out the Twins for the final 3.1 innings of the night, as the Yankees waltzed their way to a Game 1 victory.

What’s Next

These two teams square off again tomorrow in the second game of this four-game, midweek series.

The Yankees send their big lefty CC Sabathia (0-0, 2.70 ERA) to the mound tomorrow night, looking to grab the victory and give the Pinstripers a commanding two-game lead in this series.

Minnesota counters with their young ace Jose Berrios (2-1, 1.63 ERA), who was tremendous in an eventual extra-inning loss to the Cleveland Indians in his native Puerto Rico.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m ET can be seen on the YES Network and the MLB Network (for those out of market) and can be heard on WFAN 660/101.9 FM.

 NEXT: Aaron Boone Must Get Out Of Sonny Gray's Way


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Benny Tomko
After losing my eyesight as a result of a brain tumor in 1996, baseball and music ushered me back to reality and led me to who I am today. I turned my love of the game and for my New York Yankees into writing for the best company in sports: Elite Sports NY. i use my Psychology & Music degree from James Madison University to articulate my thoughts in my writing and use my vocal/piano skills to professionally play music in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

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