Twins 0 - 2 Yankees
Final
  for this game

Yankees welcome Twins to the Bronx

Jul 12, 2013 - 7:43 PM (Sports Network) - The New York Yankees won't have Derek Jeter in the lineup on Friday when they begin a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium.

After missing the first 91 games recovering from a fractured ankle, Jeter made his season debut in New York's 8-4 win on Thursday, but was lifted for a pinch-hitter in his final at-bat due to a right quadriceps injury.

"I think Derek would run himself out there for the next 70 games if it was up to him," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "That's just who he is. He expects to play every day. From that standpoint, I think we have to guard from rushing him back too much, and we have to take days off. ... So it's my job to manage him, physically, even though he's going to want to be out there every day."

An MRI revealed that Jeter has a Grade 1 strain and will sit through the weekend.

Trying to help New York to its ninth win in 12 games on Friday will be right- hander Hiroki Kuroda, who has been New York's most consistent starter this season, posting a 7-6 mark to go along with a 2.77 ERA. Kuroda, though, hasn't won his last three times out, but was terrific in a no-decision against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, as he scattered three hits over seven scoreless innings in a 2-1 loss.

Kuroda lost his only other start to the Twins, who hit him for six runs and 10 hits in just 4 1/3 frames.

Minnesota will oppose him with lefty Scott Diamond, who is 5-8 with a 5.52 ERA this season. Diamond lost to Toronto on Sunday, as he surrendered six runs and eight hits in just 4 2/3 innings.

Diamond did not get a decision against the Yankees two starts ago and is 0-1 with a 5.91 ERA against them.

Minnesota lost its fifth game in a row on Thursday, falling 4-3 to Tampa Bay Rays. The Twins have now lost 11 of 12 and are just one game ahead of the Chicago White Sox, who occupy the cellar in the American League Central.

"Just hanging," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That's exactly what I'm doing. Hanging in there. Not easy. It's not easy, but I have a lot of confidence in these guys out there. As long as we play hard, we'll go about our business and let the chips fall where they fall."

New York swept a four-game set from the Twins last week and has beaten them in seven of the last eight meetings.






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