Gleyber Torres provided an early power surge that propelled the New York Yankees to a series-clinching win against the Minnesota Twins.
- New York Yankees 5 (3-0)
- Minnesota Twins 1 (0-3)
- ALDS, Game 3, Final, Box Score
- Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
After allowing 18 runs in the first two games of the American League Division Series, the Minnesota Twins finally figured out how to slow down the New York Yankees offense.
Unfortunately for the Twin Cities, the Yankee pitchers did their best impressions of Harry Houdini on the mound. Luis Severino didn’t have his best stuff for most of his four scoreless innings.
After loading the bases with no outs in the second inning, Severino proceeded to overpower three straight hitters with devastating sliders. The righty hurler was touch-and-go all night long.
But four scoreless innings were all the Yankees needed and he left the game with a lead courtesy of Gleyber Torres‘ first career postseason home run.
Gleyber Torres is not here to mess around. #NextManUp pic.twitter.com/PdTc9G2SvJ
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) October 8, 2019
The 22-year-old—yes, 22-year-old—gave the Yankees an early lead to work with. He would later drill a double off the left-field wall and later score on a Didi Gregorius single.
Twins starter Jake Odorizzi did well to keep the Yankees off balance. Limiting this dynamic offense to two runs in five innings is all a manager can ask of his starter.
However, the Twins couldn’t crack the Yankee pitching. Severino handed the ball off to Tommy Kahnle for two outs. Adam Ottavino walked Nelson Cruz, but Chad Green was there to induce an inning-ending groundout.
The Yankees consistently stomped out any Minnesota threats. The only damage the Twins did came on an Eddie Rosario solo home run. Zack Britton allowed the dinger and left with an injury after registering four outs.
Aroldis Chapman relieved Britton and although he was a little shaky in the ninth inning, he shut the door and clinched the series.
A Cameron Maybin home run and Gregorius RBI single in the ninth inning gave Chapman enough cushion to confidently retire the Twins.
Cameron Maybin hooks this one around the foul pole. #NextManUp pic.twitter.com/mlQK5HNYob
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) October 8, 2019
The Yankees cruised to a three-game sweep of the Twins. Minnesota was a historically great offense and New York held them to seven runs in the series. Every time the Yankees needed a big play, or hit, or out, someone stepped forward.
On Monday, Torres was a complete game-changer. He went 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, and two runs. That’s not all. Torres made a couple ridiculous plays in the field to snuff out Minnesota rallies.
The formula is working for manager Aaron Boone so far. Squeeze as many outs out of the starter as possible before mixing and matching with the bullpen.
And as overwhelming as the offense can be, Monday was a look at the more opportunistic side of the Yankee hitters. Brett Gardner’s two-out RBI in the third inning gave the Yankees a major lift.
Brett Gardner is the soul of this team. Big two-out RBI. #NextManUp pic.twitter.com/dhOnHbAxAw
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) October 8, 2019
The Yankees will face the winner of the Houston Texans-Tampa Bay Rays series. Both teams have held serve at home so far, but Justin Verlander is set to take the bump on Tuesday in Game 4.
After sweeping the Twins, the Yankees will have the luxury of resting the pitching staff before the American League Championship Series.
