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Yanks seek to extend domination of Twins

Apr 4, 2011 - 2:44 PM (Sports Network) - The New York Yankees try to continue their mastery of the Minnesota Twins this evening when they open a four-game set against them at Yankee Stadium.

Not only have the Yankees beaten the Twins in all four postseason series played between the two - including the last two ALDS - but they have also won 11 of the last 13 regular-season matchups in the series.

The Yanks opened their season by taking two of three from the Detroit Tigers, but were denied a sweep in Sunday's finale, as Phil Hughes was hit hard in a 10-7 loss.

Hughes (0-1), coming off an 18-win season, went just four innings in defeat and was roughed up for five runs on five hits and two walks with one strikeout. After the game there was concern about his diminished velocity, which was also a topic of conversation this spring.

"It was there at the end of the season and I feel fine, so I have no issues with thinking that it won't be there," Hughes said. "But right now, it's just not. Seeing in the first inning I was like 90, which is not where I need to be. I need to be like 92, 93. So it's a little disconcerting right now, but I'll take these next few starts and see where it's at and evaluate from there."

Mark Teixeira continued his surprisingly strong start for New York with his third home run in as many games. He became the first Yankee to homer in each of the season's first three games since Dave Winfield in 1983.

Jorge Posada clubbed a pair of two-run homers in defeat and Robinson Cano also homered. Nick Swisher contributed three hits with an RBI double and two runs scored for New York, while Russell Martin also chipped in with three hits.

The nine home runs the Yankees have hit through three games are better than the eight the 1932 and 1981 teams posted. Six Yankees have also homered so far.

Hoping that trend continues tonight will be 24-year-old right-hander Ivan Nova, who claimed the team's fourth starter spot with an impressive spring that saw him pitch to a 1.80 earned run average over 20 innings.

Nova pitched 10 games (seven starts) for the Yankees last season and was 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA.

Minnesota, meanwhile, got of the schneid on Sunday, as Denard Span's solo home run in the ninth inning proved to be more than just insurance for the Twins, who held on to beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-3, and avoided a three-game sweep at Rogers Centre.

Closer Joe Nathan, who missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, overcame a shaky ninth, but earned the save in his first appearance since October 11, 2009.

Starter Nick Blackburn (1-0) gave up two runs -- one earned -- on six hits over 5 2/3 innings for Minnesota, which avoided starting 0-3 for the first time since 1981.

Getting the call for the Twins this evening will be righty Scott Baker, who was the team's Opening Day starter a year ago. Baker, though, had to battle for the team's fifth starter spot this season after going 12-9 with a 4.49 ERA in 2010.

Baker has faced the Yankees five times and is 2-2 with a 4.15 ERA in those contests.