Recap: Yankees Lose HeartBreaker On Errant Throw

Jul 5, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli (29) attempts to throw to first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) to force out Minnesota Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe (24) but misses the throw and allows the winning run to score at Target Field. The Twins win 2-1 in 11 innings. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees came into this game winners of their last two against the Twins. Today, they were in search of their third in a row.

The game was scoreless into the fifth inning when, with two outs, Ichiro Suzuki stole second base. Replay showed that he was actually out, but the Twins did not challenge the call. Ichiro then advanced to third base on a wild pitch, and scored the first run of the game for the Yankees, when catcher Francisco Cervelli lined a base hit into left field.

David Phelps started for the Yankees, and was tremendous, going seven innings, and allowing only one run, on a solo shot to Josh Willingham. The start wasn’t good enough however, as the Yankees failed to push across any more runs, and the game went to extras.

In the bottom of the eleventh inning, with Matt Thornton on the mound for the Yankees, Chris Colabello pinch hit to start the frame, and missed a walk-off homer by inches, sending one off the top of the right field wall. Instead, he would have to settle for a leadoff double. The next batter, Kendrys Morales, grounded out, and Colabello advanced to third. The Yankees then intentionally walked Josh Willingham, and after Oswaldo Arcia was hit with a pitch to load the bases, the Yankees were forced to bring the infield in, for the play at the plate. They got the result they wanted, as Trevor Plouffe hit a little comebacker back to Thornton. Thornton threw it to Cervelli at home for the force, but Cervelli decided to make an ill-advised throw to first, in hopes of turning the double play to end the inning. The throw was nowhere close, as it sailed down the right field line, and Cervelli and the Yankees were forced to watch as the Twins celebrated their walk-off win on the error.

Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 4.08 ERA), will get the start tomorrow afternoon against Ricky Nolasco (5-6, 5.49 ERA), as the Yankees look to take the series from the Twins.