W/L: 4 - 3
VS
W/L: 4 - 3
LOCATION:Metrodome
PITCHING MATCHUP
Mike Mussina, RHP (0-1, 13.50)
Mussina showed rust in his first start of the 2007 season, giving up eight hits and six earned runs as the Orioles knocked him out of the game after four innings. It was the second time in as many days a Yankees starter couldn't pitch into the fifth. In 28 career starts vs. the Twins, Mussina holds a 20-5 record with a 3.17 ERA, holding Minnesota batters to a .246 average.
(6 IP no more than 3 ER)
vs
Ramon Ortiz, RHP (1-0, 2.57)
All spring, pitching coach Rick Anderson worked with Ortiz on staying tall on the mound and remaining calm, even when trouble arises in his starts. The extra work appears to have paid off, as Ortiz allowed just two runs over seven innings in his first start of the year against Baltimore. Ortiz appears to be pitching more to contact than in previous seasons, and that's something the Twins feel will help carry him through more innings. His next test will come against the Yankees, against whom he holds a career 3-1 record with a 4.73 ERA.
LINEUPS
New York
Minnesota
YANKEES HOT BATS TO WATCH OUT FOR
ALEX RODRIGUEZ
Rodriguez became the first player in Yankees history to homer six times in the first seven games of a season, extending his Major League home run lead in the first inning with a two-run shot to left off Minnesota's Boof Bonser. With Rodriguez a constant threat to clear the outfield fences, even the Yankees have grown a little homer-happy. Manager Joe Torre said that the bench anticipated that Rodriguez's second-inning flyout was also headed into the blue seats as a souvenir.
"He's unbelievable right now," Pettitte said. "He's locked in and focused. He's not giving any at-bats away. It's awesome to see."
"You don't want to miss any of his at-bats," catcher Jorge Posada said.
"C'mon! Six homers in seven games? He's supposed to do that," Mussina said. "Just ask you guys."
"Alex has been swinging the bat as well as I've ever seen him," Jeter said. "I asked him if there was anything wrong with him when he flew out."
Rodriguez has now homered in four consecutive games, and his six home runs and 17 RBI pace the Major Leagues.
(postgame quote)"You just worry about every at-bat, one at a time," Rodriguez said. "[You] keep seeing the ball well and don't try to do too much."
HR Tracker
2 to LF
2 to CF
2 to RF
1 GW WALKOFF GS, 7 GAMES INTO 2007 w/ 155 MORE TO GO
Alex Rodriguez haters say ...
"WE'RE WATCHIN' YOU"
BOBBY ABREU (El Come Dulce)
Bobby Abreu has an RBI in each of his last 3 games in 28 ABs has been K'd 3 times w/ 4 BB
JOHNNY DAMON
Flying under the radar Damon is hitting .429 added a 3 run shot last night, his first 3 RBI of the season
JORGE POSADA
Jorge Posada has had a hit in 6 out of his first 7 games this season, he also is hitting .333 w/ 5 RBI
MELKY AND CANO
The Dominican Duo seem to be back in the zone , Melky comes off a 3 hit game driving in his 2nd RBI of the season has raised his avg. from .096 to .200 and has made some plays in the OF this season, Robi Cano continues to swing a hot bat he has had a hit in 6 out of his first 7 games of the season.
LETS GO YANKEES !!!!!!!!!!!
NYKnStiLL! (2 - 0)
