The Minnesota Twins defeated the New York Yankees 5-4 in a 13-inning game on Wednesday night in Minneapolis, avoiding a three-game sweep. Luke Keaschall played a pivotal role, going 3-for-5 and scoring the winning run from second base on Victor Caratini’s single that ended the marathon contest.

The game extended deep into extra innings, with Caratini delivering the decisive hit in the 13th inning. Pinch-hitting with Keaschall on second, Caratini lined a sinker up the middle that rookie Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. was unable to catch, allowing the winning run to score. Twins reliever Tommy Nance secured the victory by pitching a perfect 13th inning, improving his record to 3-3.

For the Yankees, John Schreiber absorbed the loss, falling to 2-4 on the season. New York struggled at the plate, striking out a season-high-tying 17 times and leaving a season-high 13 runners on base. Spencer Jones was among those with five strikeouts in the game.

Notably absent from the lineup was Aaron Judge, who was removed in the sixth inning due to tightness in his lower right leg. The three-time American League MVP described the injury as a routine issue shortly after returning from a broken rib. Since coming back, Judge has struggled, hitting just .154 with 13 strikeouts and one extra-base hit in seven games.

The Yankees remain in the playoff hunt, holding the American League’s top wild card spot and maintaining contention for the AL East title. A crucial four-game series against the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays is set for next week.

The Twins’ starter, Zebby Matthews, delivered six scoreless innings, keeping the Yankees off the scoreboard for much of the game. Minnesota initially took the lead with an RBI single by Ali Sanchez in the top of the 10th inning. However, New York responded with a two-run double by Anthony Volpe in the ninth, tying the game off Twins reliever Yoendrys Gómez with two outs, revitalizing the Yankees’ offense late.

The extra innings saw both teams trade sacrifice flies—José Caballero for the Twins and Royce Lewis for Minnesota—in the 11th inning before the game concluded in the 13th.

Wednesday’s contest showcased intense competition and highlighted New York’s ongoing challenges against strong pitching, as they look ahead to a critical stretch of the regular season.