Carlos Rodon goes seven strong, Yankees blast three homers in 9-1 win over Twins

Carlos Rodon bounced back from a rough first inning to give the Yankees seven innings and the offense launched three homers in their 9-1 win over the Twins on Tuesday night.

With the win, the Yankees clinched a series win after losing five of their last six series.

Here are the takeaways…

– It was a rough start for Rodon. The first pitch he threw, his spikes got stuck on the mound and he looked uncomfortable ever since. A hit, walk and HBP loaded the bases with no outs for rookie Luke Keaschall. The second baseman struck out swinging and got Royce Lewis to ground into a fielder's choice after beating out the double play attempt, which pushed across a run, and then struck out Kody Clemens to get out, just allowing one run, but he threw 31 pitches.

The southpaw would settle down in a big way, retiring 16 straight Twins at one point and pitching seven innings. Rodon is the first Yankee starter to go at least seven since he pitched eight innings against the Cubs on July 11. 

Rodon threw 96 pitches (61 strikes) through seven innings, allowing one run on one hit, two walks and striking out five batters.

– Aaron Judge hit his first home run since returning from the IL, his 38th homer of the season and got the Yankees even. Anthony Volpe will put the Yankees in front in the second with a three-run shot. It's the shortstop's eighth home run since the All-Star break.

Giancarlo Stanton launched a 447-foot blast to left-center field to put the Yanks up 5-1. It's Stanton's 441st career home run, surpassing Jason Giambi for 44th all-time. It's Stanton's 12th home run since July 2; only Kyle Schwarber has more.

– The Yankees continued to put pressure on the Twins throughout. They loaded the bases with one out in the third inning and forced starter Travis Adams out of the game. Paul Goldschmidt struck out and Ryan McMahon grounded out to end the threat. It was a recurring theme for the Yankees on this night, they were 1-for-11 with 10 left on base in the seventh when Cody Bellinger walked with the bases loaded before Stanton lined a two-run single to put the Yanks up 8-1. 

J.C. Escarra hit a single to drive in Jazz Chisholm Jr. — who led off the inning with a triple — to cap off the offensive onslaught. The Yankees finished 3-for-14 with RISP and left 12 on base.

Not only did Stanton finish 4-for-5 — his first four-hit game since 2023 — with three RBI, he also played a competent right field. He pushed his batting average to .300 on the season.

– The combination of Tim Hill and Yerry De Los Santos struck out three batters in the final two innings.

Game MVP: Carlos Rodon

The offense (and Stanton especially) were great, but if Rodon implodes in the first inning, it could have been a very different game.

Highlights

What's next

The Yanekes and Twins complete their three-game series on Wednesday night. First pitch is for 7:05 p.m.

Cam Schlittler (1-2, 4.38 ERA) takes the mound with Joe Ryan (11-5, 2.79 ERA) on the bump for the Twins.

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