Yankees Top Twins 2-0 After Rain Delay

Behind another excellent start from Hiroki Kuroda, the New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins 2-0 at Yankee Stadium Friday night.

In the bottom of the fifth, after an extended rain delay, Brett Gardner provided Kuroda with all of the support he would need. Gardner singled to bring home Luis Cruz from second base.

Gardner advanced on an out by Ichiro Suzuki and then scored on a single by Robinson Cano to give the Yankees their second run.

Preston Claiborne, Boone Logan and David Robertson provided a bridge to Mariano Rivera who picked up save number 30 on the season.

In the seventh, the Twins mounted a serious threat. But Boone Logan came in to strike out the side to end the most serious Twins’ opportunity of the night.

Manager Joe Girardi was appreciative of the effort given by his pitchers under the difficult weather conditions.

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“It can’t be the easiest conditions to pitch in; the mound is probably not what they’re used to, and you have to be careful that you don’t slip,” manager Joe Girardi explained. “They did a really good job. Boone Logan came in and did an outstanding job.”

Mariano Rivera praised Kuroda for not letting the weather effect his performance.

“He’s a machine. I’m glad I’m on his team,” Rivera said. “He has been there for us. He has given us a lot of great games.”

With the win, Kuroda improved his record to 8-6. Ryan Pressly took the loss in relief for the Twins.