On Tuesday night, Joe Ryan’s Twins pitching gem helped Minnesota end a nine-game losing streak against the New York Yankees with a 4-1 victory. Ryan pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing only one run on five hits, effectively stifling the Yankees’ powerful lineup at Target Field. This win improved the Twins’ record to 45-124 all-time against New York since 2002, including postseason games.
Key Offensive Plays Drive Twins’ Victory
The game was tied 1-1 after five innings before the Twins took control in the sixth. Kody Clemens delivered a two-run double to put Minnesota ahead, and he later scored on a RBI double from Royce Lewis, extending the lead to 4-1. These timely hits gave the Twins the advantage they needed to secure the win. After Ryan finished the sixth inning, he recorded two outs in the seventh before the bullpen took over.
Strong Relief Performance Closes the Game
Kody Funderburk came in to strike out the only batter he faced in the seventh inning, while Justin Topa pitched two scoreless innings, facing six batters and preserving the 4-1 lead for the Twins. Their combined efforts helped prevent any late rally from the Yankees and locked in the victory.
Implications for Twins in Playoff Race and Upcoming Matchup
With this win, the Twins improved to 57-63 but remain 6 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the American League wild-card race. Minnesota will aim to build on this momentum when they face the Detroit Tigers at 7:10 p.m. CT on Thursday, hoping to continue their climb in the standings while showcasing the prowess of their pitching staff inspired by Joe Ryan’s strong outing.