New York Yankees Recap: Bryan Mitchell Injured, Chase Headley Walks Off Twins In Extra Innings

After taking two out of three games against the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Yankees (65-52) began a ten-game homestand tonight against the Minnesota Twins (59-59). With the game tied at seven in the bottom of the tenth, New York loaded the bases with no one out and Chase Headley would win the game with a rare walk-off RBI groundout to short. While the Bronx Bombers remain in first place by a game over the Blue Jays with a 8-7 win in ten innings, the other storyline in this game is Bryan Mitchell leaving the game in the top of the second inning after taking a line drive off the face.

The Yankees would get on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. With runners on first and second and one out, Brian McCann hit a 0-2 pitch from starter Kyle Gibson over the wall in right field for a three run home run. McCann’s 21^st home run of the season put the Yankees in front, 3-0.

The early three run lead looked to be a good cushion for Bryan Mitchell, who was making his second start of the season in place of CC Sabathia (who had his start pushed back). With two on and two out, former Yankee Eduardo Nunez lined a 0-2 cut fastball back at Mitchell, which hit him in the face. Eddie Rosario would score on the play, but the bigger concern was Mitchell, who ended up leaving the game due to the injury. He was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, but has since been released. Meredith Marakovits of the YES Network has the latest on Mitchell’s status:

"Bryan Mitchell suffered small nasal fracture was released from hospital. Will continue to be monitored by Yankees doctors through tomorrow"

— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) August 18, 2015

With Caleb Cotham in the game, the Twins were able to take the lead with three runs in the top of the third. Miguel Sano would start the scoring with a two-run homer to left, his eighth of the season, to tie the game at three. Minnesota would take the lead on a RBI single to right by Rosario that scored Trevor Plouffe. But, that lead wouldn’t last for long.

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In the bottom of the third, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner both reached base via a single and walk. Alex Rodriguez would single to left, but Ellsbury was thrown out at the plate by a good throw from Rosario. Later in the inning, with runners on second and third, McCann drove in two more runs with a base hit to left to give the Yankees a 5-4 lead.

However, the Twins would tie it up when Aaron Hicks led off the fourth inning with a solo shot to center, his eighth of the season. Minnesota would hit another leadoff homer in the fifth when Plouffe homered to right center against Chasen Shreve. Plouffe’s 18^th of the season gave the Twins a 6-5 lead. The lead would increase to 7-5 in the sixth when Plouffe drove in Joe Mauer with a RBI single to left against Justin Wilson.

As the theme of this game seemed to go, the Yankees would rally back to tie it in the bottom of the sixth. Mark Teixeira would lead off the inning with a walk, but had to leave the game after he fouled a pitch during the at-bat off his right leg. Here’s the latest on Teixeira:

Teixeira has a bruised right lower leg. Precautionary x-rays were taken and were negative, the Yankees say. No other update on him.
— Anthony McCarron (@AnthonyMcCarron) August 18, 2015

With Greg Bird pinch running, Carlos Beltran would tie the game two batters later with a two-run shot to left against Brian Duensing. Beltran’s 13^th of the season and third in his last four games tied the game at seven.

Once the game was tied again, the bullpen trio of Adam Warren, Dellin Betances, and Andrew Miller (1-2, 2.14) kept the Twins off the board for the final four innings. The three of them combined to give up no runs on five hits, struck out five, and walked one. Miller would end up get the win by throwing a 1-2-3 tenth inning with two strikeouts on only eight pitches (all strikes).

The Twins would go to their closer, Glen Perkins (1-4, 2.66), to pitch the bottom of the tenth. After Bird led off the inning with a double, McCann hit a flyball to left that was dropped by Rosario in left field to put runners on the corners. The Twins elected to walk Beltran intentionally to load the bases. With Minnesota playing a five man infield, Chase Headley hit a ground ball to short that was misplayed by Nunez. Nunez would throw out Headley at first, but the Yanks would end up getting the win.

Next Game: The New York Yankees will continue their series with the Minnesota Twins tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium. You can catch the game at 7:05 PM ET on YES. C.C. Sabathia (4-9, 5.23) will get the start for the Yankees against Mike Pelfrey (6-7, 3.70) for the Twins.

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