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The Yankees came out swinging in the series opener, trouncing the Minnesota Twins 14-3 in a lopsided contest. Ted Williams and Bake McBride led the charge for New York, combining for 6 RBIs and 4 extra-base hits. Williams was particularly dominant, going 3-for-5 with a home run and a double. McBride added a three-run blast of his own in the third inning, part of a three-hit night.
New York jumped ahead early, scoring one run in the first and three in the third before adding another two in the fourth. The floodgates opened in the sixth inning when the Yankees scored seven runs, capped off by a three-run homer from Williams. The Twins struggled to find any rhythm at the plate, managing just three runs on 11 hits. George Foster and David Justice provided some bright spots with two hits each, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Yankees' explosive offense.
Tex Carleton pitched a complete game for New York, allowing three runs on 11 hits while striking out four. Bruce Hurst took the loss for Minnesota, giving up eight runs over five innings.
In the second game, Leon Day delivered a pitching masterpiece, holding the Yankees to just one run on three hits over eight strong innings. The Twins supported him early, scoring two runs in the first inning on a single by David Justice that brought home George Foster and Ivan Castillo. Paul Moody added another run in the fourth with a sacrifice fly, and Hal Smith's seventh-inning sac fly provided an insurance run.
Day was dominant throughout, striking out two and walking four while keeping the Yankees off balance. New York's lone run came in the ninth inning when Greg Parsons singled and later scored on a Charlie Gehringer groundout.
Billy O'Dell pitched well for the Yankees, allowing four runs on 10 hits over six innings, but the offense couldn't muster any support against Day's brilliant performance. Greg McMichael earned the save for Minnesota, retiring the final three batters.
Game 3: Twins 4, Yankees 3 (10 innings)
The series finale was a thrilling contest that saw the Twins prevail in extra innings. The Yankees took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning thanks to a single from John Roe and a bases-loaded walk to Keith Hernandez. Frank Thomas cut the deficit in half with a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth, and Craig Stewart tied the game with a solo shot of his own in the fifth.
The Yankees reclaimed the lead in the top of the ninth when Parsons scored on a groundout by Lou Gehrig. However, the Twins refused to go quietly. George Foster doubled in the bottom of the ninth, and Jimmy Dykes, pinch-hitting, drove him in with a game-tying double.
In the bottom of the tenth, the stage was set for a dramatic finish. With Craig Stewart on second base, Johnny Evers delivered a clutch RBI single to left field. Stewart hustled home and beat Ted Williams' throw to the plate, sealing a 4-3 victory for Minnesota.
Scott Sanderson pitched well for the Twins, allowing two runs on six hits over six innings. David Seifert earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief. For the Yankees, Stan Coveleski took the loss despite a solid outing, surrendering three runs over eight innings.
MVP: Leon Day
Leon Day was the clear MVP for the Minnesota Twins in this series. His stellar pitching performance in Game 2 was a game-changer, as he held the potent Yankees lineup to just one run on three hits over eight innings. Day's ability to keep the Yankees' bats quiet was instrumental in the Twins' crucial Game 2 victory, setting the stage for their dramatic series win. His composure and dominance on the mound were key factors in turning the tide for Minnesota after a tough loss in the opener.
