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Game 74 Recap: Nope.

The Yankees just finished an eleven-game stretch against the Rockies and Twins. They won six, and lost five. Against the Rockies and the Twins.

The most recent loss came on Sunday, as Minnesota put a 7-1 hurting on New York. Nathan Eovaldi was brilliant for five innings, allowing just one run on a bad pitch to Danny Santana that found its way into the right field seats. Then in the sixth, Eovaldi allowed three home runs in a row to Brian Dozier, Trevor Plouffe and Max Kepler. The Twins would add homers from Eduardo Nunez and Juan Centeno against the Yankee bullpen. Minnesota somehow managed two hits that didn’t leave the park, too.

Meanwhile, Minnesota starter Tyler Duffey took a perfect game into the sixth inning before former Twin Aaron Hicks doubled down the right field line. Duffey would allow just one other hit, a Mark Teixeira solo shot in the eighth. Duffey, who entered the game in danger of losing his spot in the rotation, struck out eight and didn’t walk a batter over his excellent eight innings of work. His main weapon was a wipeout curve that the Yankees flailed at over and over again. Reliever Brandon Kintzler pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, and that was the ballgame.

Well, then.

 

The Play: Dozier goes deep for two (.214 WPA)

This was the first of three successive home runs that Eovaldi allowed in the sixth, all with two outs. Not great.

 

Top Performers

Yankees: Mark Teixeira (1-3, HR)
Twins: Tyler Duffey (8 IP, 2 H, 8 K, 0 BB, retired first 17 batters in order)

 

Notes

– Teixeira’s home run was his first since April. Between DL stints and generally awful play, the power hasn’t been there.

– The four home runs that Eovaldi allowed were on four different pitches (fastball, splitter, slider, curve).

– The Yankees once again failed to move to two games above .500. They are now 37-37, with no end in sight.

– Former Yankee Edaurdo Nunez is now hitting .312/.342/.473 and will likely be the Twins’ representative at the All-Star Game. What a world.

– The Yankees have been out-homered this year 95-76.

 

The Highlight: Tex flashes the leather

No matter how beat up he gets, Mark Texieira will probably always be able to pick it at first base. So that’s something.

 

Up Next

The Texas Rangers, along with their best-in-the-AL record, roll into town for four games. Ivan Nova and Chi Chi Gonzalez will be the starters on Monday. Buckle up.

 

Photo: Anthony Grupposo / USA Today Sports; Videos: MLBAM

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