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The New York Times
Yankees 8, Twins 1
Hoping Not to Face Twins Later, Yanks Distance Themselves
By LEE JENKINS
Published: September 2, 2006
The Minnesota Twins used to be the ideal playoff appetizer, always intriguing
the Yankees but never overwhelming them.
As a rite of fall, Minnesota would saunter into Yankee Stadium for the
opening round of the playoffs, win the first game behind Johan Santana, then
lose the rest.
The Twins still have Santana, but they no longer look like anyone’s hors d’
oeuvre. The Yankees, acting as if they no longer wanted any part of the Twins
in the playoffs, beat them, 8-1, last night to keep Minnesota a half-game
behind the Chicago White Sox in the American League wild-card race.
Spending this week with Minnesota and Detroit, the Yankees must feel as if
they are part of the drama in the A.L. Central. In many ways they are. By
hammering the Twins this weekend at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees could avoid
seeing Minnesota at this time next month.
Minnesota has apparently picked the wrong moment to face Alex Rodriguez. If
Rodriguez is not in a full-fledged hitting streak yet, he may finally be on
the way there. One day after getting three hits against the Tigers, Rodriguez
had three more hits against the Twins: two home runs and a bases-loaded
single.
“He looks more comfortable,” Manager Joe Torre said. “I’m pleased and
everybody else is pleased, too, because he makes a huge difference.”
After Rodriguez’s first home run, the fans at Yankee Stadium begged him for
a curtain call, but he did not respond. After his second, in the seventh
inning, they begged again. Only when Torre told Rodriguez to acknowledge the
cheers did he walk to the top step of the dugout and wave his helmet.
“Unless Joe tells me to go, it’s not in my nature,” Rodriguez said. “I don
’t feel comfortable doing that.”
The Yankees racked up six runs against Minnesota’s Carlos Silva, but he is
not one of the pitchers they would have to fear in the playoffs. If the Twins
make it to Yankee Stadium in October, they figure to have Santana and
Francisco Liriano, perhaps the most devastating duo in baseball, pitching the
first two games.
With Santana missing this series and Liriano injured, last night’s Yankees
starter, Cory Lidle, may be the most pedigreed pitcher working this weekend
at Yankee Stadium. Lidle did not give up a hit until the fourth inning last
night and allowed only two singles over all.
“I felt a little more like I was in cruise control tonight,” Lidle said.
Besides being a possible playoff preview, the Twins and the Yankees are also
showcasing the chase for the league batting title. Minnesota’s Joe Mauer is
on top with a .350 average, with the Yankees’ Derek Jeter next at .342 and
closing fast.
Mauer had the Twins’ first hit of the game, a shallow single to center field
that bounced out of Johnny Damon’s glove. Jeter had three hits, including a
perfectly placed hit-and-run single. He also scored two runs and stole a
base.
From this weekend’s pitching matchups, it is hard to believe that the
Yankees and the Twins are serious contenders. Today and tomorrow, Minnesota
is starting Scott Baker and Matt Garza, whose records are a combined 4-10.
The Yankees are countering with Jeff Karstens and Darrell Rasner.
Karstens has only two career major-league starts, both in the past three
weeks, but he is a veteran compared with Rasner, who has pitched nine innings
in his major league career. Rasner worked an inning and two-thirds for the
Yankees this season, during a game in June, but was promptly injured and then
optioned to the minor leagues.
Anyone who wants to see a star pitcher this weekend should arrive early
today, with Liriano scheduled to throw off the mound. Liriano, who missed
most of August with elbow and shoulder soreness, could be as important to the
pennant race as any player in the majors.
Liriano became even more critical last night, when the Twins announced that
pitcher Brad Radke has a stress fracture in his shoulder and would be shut
down for two to three weeks. Minnesota is hoping that Radke will be able to
return for the end of the season and the playoffs.
If all of the Twins’ arms are healthy, they could have Santana, Liriano and
Radke lined up at Yankee Stadium in about four weeks. Faced with that
prospect, the Yankees might prefer to take their chances with the White Sox.
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