The Yankees were slowed by a sharp Joe Ryan, delaying first pitch nearly two hours and stalling offensively. Cody Bellinger’s 22nd homer briefly gave New York a lead, but Minnesota answered with a three-run sixth that changed the game. Cam Schlittler scattered hits through five, yet the Twins finally solved him in that decisive frame. Byron Buxton sparked the rally with a double, a 0-for-36 skid ending, while Kody Clemens and Royce Lewis tacked on insurance. The Yanks couldn’t close the door on a sweep, dropping 4-1 as ground gained slipped away in a night that also left several contending clubs idle.

Boos and cheers alternated as the delay dragged on, and the Yankees’ bats never fully woke despite Volpe’s near-miss moments and Wells’ late spark. New York still holds a lead in the division’s chase, but the rest of the wild-card pack flashed losses for once-dominant front-runners, making this a missed opportunity with impact beyond the box score. The upcoming trip to St. Louis offers a chance to reset, but the bullpen and timing will need to tighten to avoid another wallop in crucial late-inning moments.