1:34NEW YORK — Three extras from the first of three games in the Bronx:
The Twins were impressed with Jaime Garcia, the temp they hired for their starting rotation for a week in July. The lefthander, acquired from Atlanta and moved on to New York in the space of six days, struck out nine of the first 13 hitters he faced on Monday, and at least one Twin believes his one start for the Twins was part of the reason.
"When he threw [for the Twins], he threw a lot of fastballs," said Eddie Rosario, who swung at a slider for strike three in his first at-bat, then singled the next time up. "Now he looks different. A lot of down pitches, a lot of balls. This was a good day for him."
Garcia looked different in another way, too: The tightly shaved beard he wore as a Twin fell victim to Yankee rules against facial hair.
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One valuable lesson for the Twins to remember if they come back here in two weeks: Don't let the Yankees take a lead to the late innings. They knew that already, but wow, did Aroldis Chapman remind them again Monday.
Chapman, summoned when Dellin Betances walked the bases full in the eighth, struck out Joe Mauer on three pitches — 100, 101 and 102 mph — then got Byron Buxton to fly out.
"We know their bullpen's tough. It's a tough team to come from behind on," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "We had an opportunity, got some guys on base, and they kind of took over with velocity from that point forward. … Joe's as good at anybody at battling, but velocity won out there."
