Mitch Garver hit two of Minnesota’s five home runs, and the Twins held on for an 8-6 victory over the New York Yankees after a tone-setting triple play in the first inning of a series opener between AL division leaders Monday night.
Jorge Polanco, Nelson Cruz and Max Kepler also went deep, giving the Twins their eighth game with five or more homers this season. All but Garver’s second solo shot came off starter CC Sabathia (5-5), who lasted only four innings.
Martin Perez was hit just as hard, serving up home runs to Gio Urshela, Luke Voit, and AL batting leader DJ LeMahieu, a two-run drive.
Nine of the last 13 batters against Perez reached, with 14 total bases, and he left after failing to get an out in the fifth. LeMahieu went 3 for 4 to raise his batting average to .338, and the Yankees hit multiple homers for the 20th time in 29 games.
Rookie Lewis Thorpe (1-1) got his first major league win by working 2 2/3 scoreless innings.
Taylor Rogers earned his 15th save.
The Twins had lost four of their first six games on this homestand.
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