Daily Report – 8/12/25

Here is today’s report:

Yankees

Sure, it’s just the Twins. But the Yankees need wins, so anything counts.

Last night, the Yankees defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-2, thanks to four solo home runs and a strong start from Will Warren. The win marked the Yankees’ first series-opener victory since the All-Star Break. Since 2002, the Yankees hold a 124-44 record against Minnesota, including a 30-5 mark at home since 2015. There is no better get-right series for the Yankees than this.

“We’ve been playing flat,” said Will Warren, who threw 85 pitches across 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits, zero walks, and seven strikeouts. He holds a 2.84 ERA in his last seven starts, and he is officially the first Yankees starter to complete six innings since himself on July 30.

The Yankees only had to use two bullpen arms in this game. Luke Weaver relieved Will Warren in the seventh inning, and he allowed zero hits through 1 1/3 innings. David Bednar was summoned to close things out in the ninth, but after the Yankees added some late insurance runs, it was no longer a save situation for the Bronx’s newest closer. Nonetheless, he retired the top of Minnesota’s lineup in order, ending the game.

“It was a really complete game, I thought,” said manager Aaron Boone. “Starting with the starting pitcher. Will doing his thing as well as he did sets you up.”

Yankees’ pitchers credited Ben Rice for their success. Rice was drafted as a catcher, but since the Yankees asked him to play first base last season and in the Minor Leagues, his skills behind the plate are even more impressive. Will Warren credited Rice’s Ivy League education (Dartmouth) for his detailed catching techniques. However, he was surprised that Rice uses an iPad instead of pen and paper to plan his games. Rice’s heroics have earned him a second straight appearance behind the plate tonight.

In addition to his stellar defense, Rice was a force in the batter’s box last night. He went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, making him one of six Yankees hitters to record an RBI. “You’ve just got to stick to process over results,” said Rice. “Of course, you’d rather have a little higher [batting average] than what it is, but as long as you’re continually putting together quality at-bats and hitting the ball hard, good things should happen.”

Offensively, Cody Bellinger opened the scoring for the Yankees in the first inning as he crushed a two-out solo home run to right-center field. “We understand what’s at stake,” said Bellinger. “Guys were all putting in the work today. It’s always nice when the results show.”

With two outs in the bottom of the third inning, Giancarlo Stanton crushed his 11th home run of the season, driving a 98-mph fastball into the back of the Yankees’ bullpen. Ben Rice followed with his 17th dinger of the year, which snuck around the right-field foul pole and traveled deep into the second deck for a 3-0 Yankees lead.

Minnesota reduced New York’s lead in the sixth inning. On Will Warren’s 65th pitch of the game, Byron Buxton drove a low sweeper over the left-center field fence. In the seventh inning, Trevor Larnach launched a hanging curveball into the second deck in right field, reducing the Yankees’ lead to 3-2. But the Bronx Bombers weren’t interested in keeping the score close.

Ryan McMahon led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a double, and he advanced to third base on a wild pitch. Subsequently, Anthony Volpe worked a walk, and Trent Grisham singled to right field to score McMahon. Then, Aaron Judge put the Yankees ahead 5-2 with a single of his own. The Yankees tacked on another run in the eighth inning as Jazz Chisholm Jr. delivered the Bombers’ fourth home run of the night, a solo blast to right-center field, extending his team’s lead to 6-2.

“The past month hasn’t been how we’re supposed to play baseball,” said Will Warren. “We’ve had a gut punch lately, and it was nice to get out there and play baseball the way we’re supposed to.”

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Tonight, at 7:05, the Yankees will send LHP Carlos Rodón (11-7, 3.35 ERA) to toe the slab against RHP Travis Adams (1-1, 6.86 ERA) (YES). Minnesota plans to roll out a bullpen game against the Yankees.

Here is tonight’s starting lineup for the New York Yankees:

1. CF Trent Grisham (L)

2. DH Aaron Judge (C) (R)

3. LF Cody Bellinger (L)

4. RF Giancarlo Stanton (R)

5. C Ben Rice (L)

6. 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L)

7. 1B Paul Goldschmidt (R)

8. 3B Ryan McMahon (L)

9. SS Anthony Volpe (R)

SP: LHP Carlos Rodón (11-7, 3.35 ERA)

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Schedule

7:05 PM: NYY vs. MIN; YES; SP: LHP Carlos Rodón (11-7, 3.35 ERA)