Sports

Aaron Hicks' Crazy Catch Secures Yanks' Win Over Twins, 14-12, In Wild 10-Inning Duel

July 24, 2019 / 7:57 AM CDT / CBS Minnesota

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Aaron Hicks made a game-saving catch in center field for the final out in the 10th inning, Didi Gregorius had five hits and seven RBIs, and the New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins 14-12 Tuesday night in a game that featured five lead changes or ties in the final three innings.

Gleyber Torres scored Gregorius with an RBI single in the top of the 10th and New York tacked on another run on a wild pitch by Kohl Stewart (2-2). Adam Ottavino walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning, and then Chad Green allowed a drive to Max Kepler into the left-center field gap. Hicks ran it down and caught it with a diving, backhanded effort at the warning track, ending the game after 5 hours, 3 minutes.

The madness began with New York's five-run eighth inning for a 10-9 lead. Mike Tauchman had an RBI double, then Aaron Judge and Gregorius added two-run doubles. The inning ended when Gary Sanchez grounded out and was pulled with a groin injury that manager Aaron Boone said could land him on the injured list.

Aroldis Chapman (3-2) earned the win after blowing his third save in six appearances and his sixth of the season in the ninth inning. He walked the first three batters, and Ehire Adrianza scored a tying run on Jorge Polanco's sacrifice fly.

Miguel Sano hit his second homer of the game in the eighth off Zack Britton to put Minnesota ahead 11-10. Hicks followed with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth off closer Taylor Rogers, who blew his second save in three games and fifth of the season.

Jorge Polanco and Nelson Cruz hit back-to-back home runs for the second straight game in the third. Minnesota has hit nine homers in the first two games of the series.

Polanco and Sano each hit their 15th of the season, giving the Twins eight players with at least 15 home runs, a new club record and one off the major league record. Cruz is one of three players with at least 20 after hitting his 22nd of the season. Sano had five RBIs.

Gregorius hit the 100th homer of his career. His five hits were a career high, and the seven RBIs fell one short of his best, which came against Tampa Bay in 2018.

Yankees starter Domingo German allowed eight runs and nine hits over 3 2/3 innings. He was tagged for three homers and ended a three-start winning streak.

Green got his first save of the season.

EJECTION TIMES TWO

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli and hitting coach James Rowson were both ejected for arguing strike calls by home plate umpire Ramon De Jesus. Baldelli's ejection was the second of his rookie season as manager.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Yankees: OF Brett Gardner was out of the lineup for the third straight game with a sore left knee. Boone said Gardner was available late in the game, but he did not play. ... OF Cameron Maybin started his rehab assignment from a left calf strain as the designated hitter for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Maybin went 4 for 5 with a home run.

Twins: OF Byron Buxton remains on the injured list for concussion-like symptoms, and Baldelli said Buxton also had three teeth pulled within the past week. Baldelli said he still anticipates a return for Buxton soon.

UP NEXT

Yankees: J.A. Happ (8-5, 4.86 ERA) starts the series finale Wednesday. The left-hander has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts.

Twins: Jake Odorizzi (11-4, 3.06) will try to beat the Yankees for the second time this season. The All-Star right-hander gave up just two hits in six scoreless innings at New York on May 4, but he's allowed 20 earned runs over his past 28 2/3 innings.