Yankees take series from the Twins

The New York Yankees defeated the Minnesota Twins today by the score of 4-3.  A.J. Burnett pitched well once again and the Yankees did just enough offensively to win the game.  Burnett pitched six innings giving up two runs on five hits.  He walked a couple and struck out five.  The formula of JoSoMo did it's job.  Joba Chamberlain gave up a run but it was unearned and Rafael Soriano gave up a hit in the eighth inning and Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his fourth save. 

The offense saw Brett Gardner get an RBI single, Derek Jeter have two hits and a walk and Nick Swisher hit a sacrifice fly.  Andruw Jones had an RBI double and Robinson Cano had a hit.  The Yankees only managed five hits but it was enough to win.  The Yankees will now head up to Boston for their first roadtrip of the year.  It will be a quick three game series before they return home on Tuesday to start another homestand. 

The pitching matchups for this series are Phil Hughes vs. John Lackey on Friday afternoon at 2:05PM.  Ivan Nova vs. Clay Bucholz on Saturday afternoon at 1:05PM and C.C. Sabathia vs. Josh Beckett on Sunday night at 8:05PM.  That is the Sunday Night Espn game. 

Nick Swisher had a hard take out slide today on the second baseman and the Twins second baseman broke his fibula.  Swisher showed remorse after the game.  He said "It's sad, I didn't mean to do that."  Swisher got to talk to him and he said it isn't your fault don't worry.  Swisher said it eased his mind and Ron Gardenhire the Twins manager also gave him a pass. 

A.J. Burnett has become a Mr. April of sorts.  He is now 7-0 with a 3.91 ERA with the Yankees in 12 starts.  He needs to be better in the other months, he was 4-0 last April before it fell apart.  He has been using the changeup more which has become an effective pitch for him.  Soriano said his arm was looser in this game and the results were there. 

It should be an interesting weekend up in Boston.  I am excited for this series and it is always fun when it is Yanks/Boston, lets hope for a Yankees sweep and have the Nation really panicking then.