Hot-hitting Yanks tangle with Twins

Apr 10, 2007, 15:05 GMT

- Alex Rodriguez hopes to continue his incredible start to the season this evening when the New York Yankees play the second of three games against the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome.

On Monday, Bobby Abreu hit a two-run home run and finished with four RBI and Carl Pavano tossed seven strong innings as the Yankees pummeled the Twins, 8-2.

Rodriguez, who shared American League Player of the Week honors with the Angels' Vladimir Guerrero, homered for the third straight game and became the first Yankee in team history to belt five home runs through his first six games. A-Rod leads the league in home runs and RBI (13) and is hitting .360.

Pavano (1-0), who became the first Yankee starter to last more than five innings, recovered from a bad Opening Day start to scatter six hits and give up just two runs. He also struck out two without walking a batter.

Johnny Damon returned to the Yankees starting lineup for the first time since hurting his right calf on Opening Day and finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.

Sidney Ponson (0-1) was roughed up in his first start for Minnesota, giving up 10 hits and eight runs through 5 2/3 innings. The former Yankee also struck out two, walked three and hit one batter.

Torii Hunter went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for the Twins, who lost for the second time in their last three games.

Andy Pettitte will try and give the Yanks their second straight quality start this evening, as he tries to bounce back from a subpar season debut against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Thursday.

Pettitte, who pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Sunday's 6-4 loss to Baltimore, allowed four runs (two earned) and six hits over four innings against Tampa, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 7-6 loss.

The 34-year-old left-hander has faced the Twins 16 times over the course of his 13-year career and has posted a 7-5 mark to go along with a 3.71 ERA.

Minnesota will pin its hopes on right-hander Boof Bonser, who has never faced the Yankees. Bonser had a solid season debut on Wednesday against Baltimore, but did not earn a decision. The 25-year-old hurler allowed two runs and three hits over six innings in that one.

Following Monday's loss, Minnesota placed starting left fielder Rondell White and backup infielder Jeff Cirillo on the 15-day disabled list. Cirillo has torn cartilage in his left knee and will likely be out for about a month. White, meanwhile, hurt himself in Chicago while skipping out of the dugout during warmups.

These teams split the six-game season series last season for the second straight year. The Twins, though, have won six of the last 10 at home in this matchup.

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