BRONX, NY — The Yankees finally found something they had been searching for this past week, a complete team victory.
Behind a determined Gerrit Cole, a couple of timely home runs, and the return of both Trent Grisham and Ryan McMahon to the starting lineup on Firework Night, New York defeated the Minnesota Twins, 5-2, Friday evening at Yankee Stadium, snapping their season-high seven-game losing streak.
After going through one of their worst stretches in franchise history all around—their longest losing streak since a nine-game skid from August 12-22, 2023—the Yankees received an immediate jolt of life from Grisham, who wasted no time making his presence felt in his first game back from the injured list.
In his first at-bat back from the injured list, Trent Grisham got the Yankees on the board Friday night vs. the Twins with a solo blast – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Leading off the bottom of the first inning, the 29-year-old left-handed hitter battled through a tough seven-pitch at-bat before launching a changeup into the seats for his ninth home run of the season and the 11th leadoff HR of his career, tying the game after Kody Clemens had given Minnesota an early 1-0 lead.
The Yankees continued to build momentum in the third inning when Ben Rice connected for a two-run homer, his 24th of the season, giving the Bronx Bombers a 3-1 advantage.
Ben Rice continued his All-Star campaign Friday night, hitting his 24th HR of 2026 to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
The offense added two insurance runs in the seventh as McMahon doubled to start the inning before José Caballero drove him home on an RBI single.
Grisham then added a sacrifice fly to drive in a hustling Caballero from third for some extra insurance headed into the ninth inning.
A diving José Caballero headed into home plate safely in the seventh inning of Friday night’s Twins-Yankees series opener – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
On the mound in pinstripes, Cole delivered one of his grittiest performances of the year. Making his eighth start of the season after returning in May from Tommy John surgery, the Yankees’ ace pitched through a 53-minute rain delay, convincing manager Aaron Boone to allow him to return after the lengthy delay in play. Cole finished with five innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out seven without issuing a walk.
“We’re in a rut. We needed this win today,” the 35-year-old right-hander said afterward. “You gotta do hard stuff in this league sometimes. Sometimes it’s not fun to sit around for an hour and 20 minutes throwing bullpens, but it’s what was needed.”
Despite a 53-minute rain delay Friday night, Gerrit Cole remained locked in and was still able to finish with seven strikeouts across five innings of two run ball – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Cole, keeping his arm warmed in the bullpen during the rain delay, throwing 8-15 pitches every ten minutes, also revealed Boone initially intended to remove him following the fourth inning.
“He was definitely gonna take me out, and I definitely wasn’t coming out. I said, ‘I would like to stay in, please.'”
Boone appreciated his ace’s determination, stating, “I was going to pull him after four, and he was not having it, which was great. I was being a little careful there, but once he fought for it, it was his.”
The bullpen preserved the lead the rest of the way as Brent Headrick and Paul Blackburn combined for two scoreless innings before Fernando Cruz escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth. David Bednar struck out the side in the ninth to record his 17th save of 2026 and officially end the Yankees’ week-long skid.
David Bednar secured his 17th save of 2026 Friday night by closing the door on the Twins at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Boone credited the return of Grisham and McMahon for helping restore energy to a depleted lineup that had struggled throughout the losing streak dealing with all the key injuries.
“Ryan McMahon and Trent Grisham are a big part of this team,” Boone said. “To get some mainstay guys back in your lineup and then have an impact in the game is good. I thought we came out with really good energy today. It was a pretty complete game, and it feels good to get back in the win column.”
The fireworks show was on Friday evening in the Bronx with a crowd of over 40,ooo remaining in their seats after the Yankees’ 5-2 win over the Twins – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
With the victory, the Yankees (49-38) not only avoided extending their longest losing streak of the season but also received encouraging performances from several key contributors as they look to build momentum heading into the remainder of the weekend series against Minnesota (42-47).
“It feels good in here but it’s the big leagues, man,” said Cole. “Hot one tomorrow. Quick turnaround and you gotta prove it all again. So it helps you get to sleep and that’s about it.”
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