No joy against New York

Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

The Twins' Michael Cuddyer struck out with the bases loaded on this pitch in the fifth inning with the Twins down 4 - 2.

The Twins came up one run short yet again and fell to 0-6 against the Yankees this season.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: July 9, 2009 - 12:12 AM

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N.Y. YANKEES 4, TWINS 3

Up next: 12:10 p.m. today vs. Yankees • Metrodome • TV: FSN (1500-AM)

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There's no team that will let you know where you stand like the Yankees. The Twins have found that out six times this season.

On Wednesday at the Metrodome, they fell short once again in a 4-3 loss to New York that halted their series winning streak at four and put them on the verge of being swept as the teams finish a three-game series this afternoon.

The Twins got within a run in the seventh when Joe Mauer homered to left off reliever Phil Coke, his 15th home run of the season. Mauer batted again in the ninth against über closer Mariano Rivera but lined softly to shortstop Derek Jeter to end the game.

It was the latest message that the Twins might be pesky but are a little short when they match up with the Yankees. They are 0-6 against them -- and four of those losses have been by one run.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, once again, had to give his "the Yankees are who we thought they were" explanation after the game.

"We're competing with them, but we've got to beat them,'' Gardenhire said. "Competing with them doesn't get it [done] at this level. You've got to beat them. You've got to find a way to win a game. Tomorrow we've got to find a way to win a game. You're facing [CC] Sabathia, and this guy tonight [A.J. Burnett], that's really good pitching.

"That's why the Yankees are winning a lot of games, along with about seven or eight All-Stars on the field. So you're facing a great team."

That said, the Twins aren't going to accept any suggestion that they can't beat the Yankees.

"I don't like to admit defeat or admit somebody owns me,'' outfielder Denard Span said. "You keep saying that. ... The truth is they have beaten us seven [actually six] times this year.''

Rookie righthander Anthony Swarzak, filling in for the ill Glen Perkins, learned where he stood as he tried to figure out ways to get Yankees hitters out.

New York loaded the bases against Swarzak in the second inning before Nick Swisher tapped out to Swarzak as the first run of the game scored. Swarzak (2-3) was one pitch away from getting out of the inning, but his 2-2 offering to Brett Gardner was whacked to center field for a two-run single and a 3-0 Yankees lead.

Swarzak gave up a leadoff double to Jeter in the fifth, and Jeter eventually scored on a single by Alex Rodriguez to make the score 4-2 and end Swarzak's night. But pitching coach Rick Anderson was impressed with how Swarzak threw the ball over the plate most of the night.

"That shows that he wasn't scared," Anderson said.

Burnett went 6 1/3 innings and improved to 8-4. The Twins loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, but Michael Cuddyer struck out on a pitch out of the strike zone. The Twins had runners on first and second with one out in the sixth, but Nick Punto flied out and Span struck out.

No clutch hits. No big pitches. Not good enough against the Yankees.

"We've got to find a way to beat good teams like that," Gardenhire said. "This year they've had our number, but hopefully we'll find a way to get them tomorrow."

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