CC Sabathia got off to a slow start to the season, pitching a 6.35 ERA in his first two starts. He appeared to be in for another shaky outing early against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night, giving up three runs in his first three innings. He did not give up another run over his next 4 1/3 innings, however, as the New York Yankees went on to an 8-3 victory.
Sabathia has a reputation as a notoriously slow starter, going 18-14 in April over his career. He didn't allow another hit after giving up his third run on a Jamey Carroll single to right center, however, and at one point retired 13 straight batters. Meanwhile, the Yankees' bats heated up in the third. Chris Stewart hit a single to left field that advanced Curtis Granderson and Eduardo Nunez past home plate. The hit gave the Yankees a 4-3 lead that they would never relinquish.
David Robertson and Cory Wade pitched relief, and combined just gave up one hit over the final 1 1/3 innings. Francisco Liriano started for the Twins but was pulled in the third inning after giving up his fifth earned run.
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