Twins drop ninth straight; Rivera sets saves record

The Yankees grabbed a 5-0 lead against the Twins and held on to send the Twins to their ninth straight loss.

A.J. Burnett pitched five innings to get the victory and Mariano Rivera recorded his 602nd career save, braking the career save record previously held by Trevor Hoffman.

Rivera struck out Chris Parmelee on a called third strike to end the game.

More details to come soon.

I almost didn't make it here.

I had a 3:05 p.m. flight yesterday on an unidentified airline. I arrived at MSP at 1:45 to a mass of humanity inside the main terminal.

You know that new security checkpoint No. 6 on the far end of the terminal? The line was so long that it backed up to the front of checkpoint No. 4. I missed my flight - the second flight I've missed since 1994 - because getting through security too so long.

It was the last flight out to JFK. The person at the game sent me to courtesy phone island to speak to a representative. That's when I was told that the two flights to LaGuardia were sold out and my best bet was to fly out Monday at 7 a.m. What other option did I have.

So then the rep goes, ``I can waive the $150.00 change fee but you'll have to pay the difference in the cost of the tickets.'' .

What was that?: ``$992.00,'' the rep said.

Now I'm envisioning a phone call to my sports editor to ask for permission to spend $992.00 to watch Michael Cuddyer and the Rochester Rock Cats (I deliberately melded the two minor league teams) take on the twenty-something time World Champion Yankees. I envision getting in trouble.

I was given another option: Try to fly standby on a later flight to LaGuardia. I took the chance.

I approached the gate agent, who asked for my elite status. Since it wasn't something similar to titanium level, I wasn't allowed to fly stand by. I began to complain about the long security lines and how it made me late for my flight. ``Were you on the 3:05?'' I was asked. When I said yes, I was asked to hand over my old ticket and was given a new one. I thought it was a stand-by ticket. It was a first class ticket.

So sometimes the airline we tend to get mad at around here comes through. The only problem is that my luggage was sent to JFK anyway and wasn't delivered to my hotel room until 7:30 this morning. I'm just glad to be here.

Will check back soon with updates and lineups. Heard Jason Repko, who was hit in the head on Sunday, did not make the trip.

UPDATES

Jason Repko underwent a CT Scan,which came back negative. He will be re-evaluated on Tuesday. He was hit in the head with a Justin Masterson pitch on Sunday.
Righthander Scott Baker (flexor strain) could be available by this weekend.
I counted 24 players in the clubhouse before the game, That includes Jason Kubel, who described himself a, ``the last reinforcement.'' I expect Kubel to be shut down for the season once the team returns to the Twin Cities.
Alexi Casilla was supposed to run the bases today and tomorrow and could be activated on Tuesday.
Players who aren't on the trip worked out at Target Field today.
Danny Valencia has kicked the flu bug. Rene Tosoni feels much better, But now Phil Dumatrait is sick.
The Yankees are gearing up for a celebration if Mariano Rivera gets the saves record today. He has 31 career saves against the Twins. ``It seems like 300 of 'em have come against us,'' Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Twins (59-92)

1. Ben Revere, CF
2. Trevor Plouffe, SS
3. Michael Cuddyer, RF
4. Chris Parmelee, 1B
5. Danny Valencia, 3B
6. Brian Dinkelman, 2B
7. Luke Hughes, 3B
8. Joe Benson, LF
9. Rene Rivera, C

Pitching: Scott Diamond, LHP

Yankees (91-60)

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Curtis Granderson, CF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. A-Rod, 3B
5. Robinson Cano, 2B
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Andruw Jones, LF
8. Jesus Montero, DH
9. Russell Martin, C

Pitching: A.J. Burnett,RHP