The New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins played a dramatic extra innings game on September 16, 2026, at Target Field in Minneapolis. Minnesota secured a 5 to 4 walk off victory in the 13th inning, preventing New York from completing a series sweep. The game featured strong starting pitching, late inning comebacks, and several important offensive contributions from both lineups.
Victor Caratini delivered the decisive hit for Minnesota, driving home Luke Keaschall with a pinch hit single in the 13th inning. Keaschall finished with three hits and two runs, while Ryan Kreidler contributed a solo home run. For New York, Cody Bellinger recorded three hits, and Anthony Volpe produced two important RBIs with a game tying double in the ninth inning.
The contest showed how quickly a baseball game can change when teams keep creating scoring opportunities late in the game.
Quick Answer
The Minnesota Twins defeated the New York Yankees 5 to 4 in 13 innings on September 16, 2026. Victor Caratini hit the winning single, Luke Keaschall recorded three hits and scored twice, and Ryan Kreidler hit a home run. Cody Bellinger collected three hits for the Yankees, while Anthony Volpe drove in two runs.
Why People Compare the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins
The Yankees and Twins are American League teams that regularly attract attention because of their offensive talent and competitive pitching. Their September 2026 series at Target Field included three games with different outcomes.
New York won the first two games, including an 8 to 3 victory on September 14 and an 8 to 1 victory on September 15. Minnesota responded in the finale, winning 5 to 4 after 13 innings. The final game was especially memorable because the Yankees repeatedly fought back before the Twins secured the winning run.
New York Yankees Player Stats
New York collected nine hits and scored four runs. Cody Bellinger and Anthony Volpe were among the most productive hitters, while George Lombard Jr. scored twice.
| Player | At Bats | Hits | Runs | RBIs | Home Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Bellinger | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Anthony Volpe | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| George Lombard Jr. | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Paul Goldschmidt | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ali Sánchez | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Ben Rice | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aaron Judge | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Cody Bellinger led the Yankees with three hits. Anthony Volpe delivered a key double in the ninth inning that brought New York level at 2 to 2. Ali Sánchez and José Caballero also contributed RBIs during the extra innings.
Aaron Judge left the game in the sixth inning after experiencing tightness in his lower right leg. Heliot Ramos entered as a pinch hitter, but New York was unable to secure the win.
Yankees Pitching Stats
| Pitcher | Innings | Runs Allowed | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Rodón | 6.0 | 2 | Not confirmed here |
| Clarke Schmidt | Reliever | Not confirmed here | Not confirmed here |
Carlos Rodón allowed two runs over six innings. Minnesota starter Zebby Matthews also pitched six innings, keeping the Yankees scoreless while striking out eight batters.
The Yankees bullpen kept the game competitive through the extra innings, but Minnesota eventually found the winning hit in the 13th.
Minnesota Twins Player Stats
Minnesota recorded 10 hits and scored five runs. Luke Keaschall was a standout performer, while Victor Caratini delivered the decisive moment off the bench.
| Player | At Bats | Hits | Runs | RBIs | Home Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Keaschall | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Victor Caratini | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Ryan Kreidler | Not confirmed here | Not confirmed here | Not confirmed here | Not confirmed here | 1 |
| Josh Bell | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Kody Clemens | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Austin Martin | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ryan Jeffers | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Luke Keaschall recorded three hits and scored twice, including the winning run. Ryan Kreidler’s solo home run gave Minnesota an early lead, and Josh Bell added an RBI. Caratini then came through with the walk off single in the 13th inning.
Twins Pitching Stats
| Pitcher | Innings | Runs Allowed | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zebby Matthews | 6.0 | 0 | 8 |
| Tommy Nance | 1.0 | 0 | Not confirmed here |
Matthews delivered an excellent start, allowing only two hits over six scoreless innings. Minnesota’s bullpen had to navigate a long afternoon as New York rallied late and forced the game into extra innings.
Tommy Nance earned the win after pitching a scoreless 13th inning. Caratini’s walk off hit made the difference after both teams had several opportunities to take control.
New York Yankees vs Minnesota Twins Comparison Table
| Match Statistic | Yankees | Twins |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 4 | 5 |
| Total hits | 9 | 10 |
| Errors | 1 | 0 |
| Home runs | 0 | 1 |
| Innings played | 13 | 13 |
| Runs in the ninth inning | 2 | 0 |
| Final inning runs | 0 | 1 |
| Winning pitcher | None | Tommy Nance |
Minnesota finished with one more hit than New York and committed no errors. The Yankees rallied in the ninth inning and scored again in extra innings, but the Twins answered each time and eventually won in the 13th.
Key Stats and Game Highlights
- Final score: Minnesota defeated New York 5 to 4.
- Winning hit: Victor Caratini hit a walk off single in the 13th inning.
- Keaschall’s performance: Luke Keaschall recorded three hits and scored twice.
- Bellinger’s hitting: Cody Bellinger collected three hits for New York.
- Volpe’s clutch hit: Anthony Volpe hit a game tying double in the ninth.
- Kreidler’s home run: Ryan Kreidler hit a solo homer for Minnesota.
- Matthews’s pitching: Zebby Matthews threw six scoreless innings and struck out eight.
- Rodón’s start: Carlos Rodón allowed two runs over six innings.
- Judge’s early exit: Aaron Judge left in the sixth inning with lower right leg tightness.
- Extra innings: The game lasted 13 innings before Minnesota scored the winning run.
How the Game Was Decided
Minnesota opened the scoring with Ryan Kreidler’s solo home run and added another run later in the game. The Yankees struggled against Zebby Matthews, who kept them scoreless through six innings.
New York came alive in the ninth. Anthony Volpe hit a double that tied the game at 2 to 2 with two outs. Both teams then exchanged runs during extra innings, keeping the contest level.
In the 13th, Luke Keaschall began the inning at second base under MLB’s extra inning rules. Caratini followed with a single through the middle, allowing Keaschall to score and ending the game.
Common Mistakes When Reading Baseball Player Stats
Confusing hits with runs. Bellinger recorded three hits and scored once, while Keaschall had three hits and crossed home plate twice.
Ignoring the pitching matchup. Matthews kept New York scoreless for six innings, helping Minnesota remain competitive despite the Yankees’ late comeback.
Overlooking pinch hitters. Caratini did not start the game, but his single became the most important hit of the afternoon.
Mixing up games in the series. New York won the September 14 and September 15 games. Minnesota won the September 16 finale. Each game had a different box score.
Memory Trick for the Match
Remember 5, 4, and 13.
Minnesota scored five runs, New York scored four, and the game lasted 13 innings. Caratini’s single in the final inning secured the Twins’ walk off win.
American vs British English
Baseball terminology is mostly consistent in American and British English. Terms such as home run, strikeout, inning, RBI, and walk off are common in MLB reporting.
For readers searching for this matchup, phrases such as “New York Yankees vs Minnesota Twins match player stats” and “Yankees vs Twins box score” clearly describe the statistics and game recap they want.
Similar Yankees vs Twins Matchups
The September 2026 series included these results:
- September 14, 2026: Yankees won 8 to 3.
- September 15, 2026: Yankees won 8 to 1.
- September 16, 2026: Twins won 5 to 4 in 13 innings.
New York won the series two games to one, but Minnesota finished with a dramatic victory in the final game.
Final Verdict
The Minnesota Twins defeated the New York Yankees 5 to 4 in 13 innings on September 16, 2026. Luke Keaschall led Minnesota’s offense with three hits and two runs, while Victor Caratini delivered the game winning single. Ryan Kreidler’s home run also helped establish Minnesota’s early advantage.
For New York, Cody Bellinger recorded three hits and Anthony Volpe drove in two runs. The Yankees fought back late but could not complete the comeback. The game highlighted the importance of pitching, timely hitting, and bench contributions in a long MLB contest.
FAQs
1. Who won the New York Yankees vs Minnesota Twins game?
The Minnesota Twins won 5 to 4 in 13 innings on September 16, 2026.
2. Who hit the winning RBI?
Victor Caratini hit the walk off single that brought Luke Keaschall home in the 13th inning.
3. How many hits did Cody Bellinger record?
Cody Bellinger collected three hits for the Yankees.
4. How many hits did Luke Keaschall have?
Luke Keaschall recorded three hits and scored twice.
5. How many strikeouts did Zebby Matthews record?
Matthews struck out eight batters over six scoreless innings.
6. Did Aaron Judge play the entire game?
No. Judge left in the sixth inning after experiencing tightness in his lower right leg.
7. How many innings did the game last?
The game lasted 13 innings before Minnesota secured the walk off win.
Remember This
Minnesota beat New York 5 to 4 in 13 innings. Luke Keaschall had three hits and scored twice, Cody Bellinger recorded three hits, and Victor Caratini delivered the decisive single.
Conclusion
The New York Yankees vs Minnesota Twins matchup was a memorable extra innings contest featuring strong starting pitching and several late scoring changes. Zebby Matthews kept the Yankees scoreless for six innings, while Carlos Rodón gave New York six competitive innings. The Yankees rallied in the ninth and continued fighting through extra innings.
Minnesota ultimately secured the win when Victor Caratini drove in Luke Keaschall in the 13th inning. Although New York collected nine hits, the Twins produced 10 and made their final opportunity count. The result gave Minnesota a victory in the final game of the series after the Yankees had won the first two contests.
Nancy Lisa is a passionate writer and contributor at DrameyHut, focused on uncovering the deeper meanings behind dreams. She creates engaging and insightful content that helps readers interpret their dreams and understand their subconscious thoughts. Her work inspires self-reflection, clarity, and a stronger connection to inner emotions.
