New York @ Minnesota preview
Target Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 1, 2013 ) NY Yankees 10, Minnesota 4
After snapping a five-game losing streak with an offensive explosion, the New York Yankees will look to feed off that outburst when they play the second contest of their four-game road series versus the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. Robinson Cano brought the fireworks with a pair of homers and rookie Zoilo Almonte continued his promising play with two RBI singles in New York's 10-4 triumph on Monday. The offensive outburst certainly was a welcome change for the Yankees, who mustered just 13 runs during their slide.
New York has made itself at home at Target Field, posting an 8-3 mark since Minnesota opened its new stadium in 2010. Playing in place of a slumping Joe Mauer, Ryan Doumit provided a jolt with a two-run single - but the Twins couldn't capitalize and fell for the seventh time in 10 contests. Mauer, who is 0-for-16 in his last five games, is 2-for-12 lifetime against Tuesday's starter, Phil Hughes.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Phil Hughes (3-7, 4.82 ERA) vs. Twins RH Samuel Deduno (4-2, 3.32)
Hughes suffered his third straight loss and fourth in five trips to the mound despite allowing just two runs on five hits in eight innings against Texas on Thursday. The 27-year-old, who owns a 2-1 career mark versus Minnesota, is doing his best to keep his control in check. Hughes has issued just one walk in his last two outings after surrendering multiple free passes in nine of his previous 13 starts.
Deduno will look to give himself an impressive 30th birthday present when makes his eighth start of the season. The Dominican handcuffed Kansas City in his last outing, allowing just a solo homer and four other hits in seven innings en route to a 3-1 victory. Deduno has made one brief appearance versus the Yankees, walking and striking out two in 1 2/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Almonte, who went 3-for-5 on Monday, has hit safely in his last four games. The 24-year-old Dominican is 13-for-38 in 12 contests since joining the Yankees.
2. Minnesota DH Josh Willingham was scratched from the starting lineup after experiencing increased discomfort in his knee. He is expected to undergo an MRI on Tuesday.
3. Cano struck out in his lone career at-bat versus Deduno.
PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Twins 2