Bronx, NY (Sports Network) – Phil Hughes pitched seven shutout innings, and the New York Yankees got homers from Nick Swisher and Marcus Thames on the way to a 6-1 win over Minnesota, completing a sweep of the Twins in their American League Division Series.
The three losses by the Twins brought their postseason skid to 12 games, which is the second-longest in major league history, behind only Boston’s 13-game stretch from 1986-1995.
Meanwhile, the defending World Series champions are headed to the AL Championship Series for just the second time in six years. Last year, they beat the Angels in six games before topping Philadelphia in six in the Fall Classic.
The Yankees, this year’s wild card participants, will be on the road for Game 1 of the ALCS next week against either Texas or Tampa Bay. The Rangers hold a 2-1 lead in that first-round series and can finish off the Rays on Sunday.
Hughes (1-0) allowed four hits, walked one and struck out six in his first career postseason start.
Brian Duensing (0-1) was tagged for seven hits and five runs over 3 1/3 frames for the Twins, who have lost nine straight times to the Yankees in postseason play. The Twins are just 2-12 all-time vs. the Yankees in the playoffs.