Minneapolis, MN – CC Sabathia picked up his 200th career win and the New York Yankees scored three times in the sixth inning to take a 3-2 win from the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
Sabathia (9-6) gave up seven hits and two runs, but had nine strikeouts over seven innings to continue his domination of the Twins. He is unbeaten in his last 12 regular season and postseason starts combined against Minnesota, going 11-0 in that stretch.
"He had to really grind this one out," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I didn't think his slider was as good as it's been, but he found a way to get it done. It's fun to watch a guy compete like that every time he goes out there."
Robinson Cano tied the game with a two-run double and Lyle Overbay provided the go-ahead sacrifice fly, as the Yankees moved to the brink of sweeping this four-game series.
Mariano Rivera worked around a one-out single in the ninth for his 28th save of the year.
Trevor Plouffe homered and Joe Mauer doubled in a run for the Twins, who dropped their fourth in a row.
"Our situational hitting wasn't very good tonight. Sabathia can do that to you," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.
P.J. Walters (2-5) allowed four hits and three runs over five-plus innings.
Brian Dozier walked to start the bottom of the third, then scored on Mauer's gap double to left-center field. Minnesota could have tacked on more runs following a throwing error by shortstop Luis Cruz, but with runners at the corners, Sabathia retired the ensuing three batters.
Oswaldo Arcia took a double away from Chris Stewart in the top of the fifth with a leaping catch at the wall in the left field corner, and Plouffe homered off the top of fence in center in the bottom half.
Brett Gardner walked and Ichiro Suzuki doubled to right field to start the sixth. Cano then laced a double to right field.
After Travis Hafner singled, Caleb Thielbar entered from the bullpen and fanned Zoilo Almonte, but Overbay lofted a sac fly to center.
Dozier singled and stole second in the seventh, but Justin Morneau grounded out to end the threat.
Pinch-hitter Chris Parmelee singled with one out in the ninth, but Dozier fanned and Mauer popped out.
Game Notes
The Yankees signed Cruz and placed infielder Jayson Nix on the 15-day disabled list ... Sabathia, who threw a season-high 121 pitches, is 17-8 all-time against the Twins in regular season play ... The Yankees are 13-3 against the AL Central this season and have won 13 of their last 14 against the division ... Cano has six straight multi-hit games ... Thielbar, who wasn't charged with the run, has yet to allow a run this season, tossing 16 scoreless appearances with five hits allowed.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.