Walter Ibarra's RBI double highlighted a three-run eighth inning as the Yankees came from behind to defeat the Twins, 6-4, in Tuesday's one-game playoff and earn a spot in the Gulf Coast League Finals. The North Division-champion Yankees will now take on the East Division-champion Dodgers in the best-of-three championship series, which begins on Wednesday. The Dodgers earned a bye after compiling the league's best regular-season record. The Yankees entered the decisive eighth inning of Tuesday's ballgame trailing 4-3. A hit batsman, a single and a walk loaded the bases with no outs in the frame, allowing Gerardo Rodriguez to follow with an RBI fielders choice. Ibarra then stroked a double into right field to give the Yankees the lead for good. Ibarra's clutch hit was his second in as many at-bats. The 19-year-old's pinch-hit single in the sixth plated Rodriguez, who had tripled with two outs in the frame. The Yankees got on the board in the third as Melky Mesa hit an RBI triple. Jesus Montero homered to account for the first run of the sixth. The Twins jumped to an early lead in the ballgame, as shortstop Kelvin Castro's third-inning fielding error allowed two runs to score. Nicholas Papasan hit an RBI double in the fourth, while Yangervis Solarte singled to lead off the fifth and eventually scored on a double-play groundout. Josue Selenes (1-0) closed out the game with three perfect innings and earned the win. Starter Noel Castillo yielded three unearned runs over four frames, while Wilkins De La Rosa surrendered a run over two innings. Danny Rondon came on to pitch the eighth inning and took the loss for the Twins, allowing three runs on three hits, a walk, and a hit batter. Starter Santos Arias allowed three runs on eight hits over six frames. Benjamin Hill is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. |
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