Kubel’s grand slam off Rivera sinks Yanks

Sergio Mitre left the game with a 3-1 lead after a leadoff single in the sixth, leaving it up to the bullpen to hold down the victory.

David Robertson, of all people, tip-toed his way through two shutout innings, but Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera couldn’t combine to make it through the eighth, as Jason Kubel launched a grand slam off Rivera to lead the Twins to a 6-3 win.

Quick ‘Cap:
Justin Morneau opened the scoring in the second with a leadoff homer to right, but Randy Winn countered in the home half with a two-run triple. Mark Teixeira made it 3-1 on an RBI single in the fifth, but the Yanks’ rally ended without further damage.

In the eighth, with the meat of the Twins order coming up, Chamberlain recorded two outs and left the bases loaded for Rivera. Rivera fell behind 3-0 to Jim Thome and eventually walked him to allow a run. Then, the pitch after a mound visit from pitching coach Dave Eiland, Rivera served up a grand slam to Kubel**.

The Yanks threatened in the ninth, but closer Jon Rauch worked out of the jam. Perhaps the Yankees needed Jose Contreras today, who recorded his first career save yesterday for the Phillies. Twins-Yankees box score.

**Kubel had another game-winning grand slam under his belt before today. Back in 2006, he hit a walk-off grand slam in the 12th inning against the Red Sox off Julian Tavarez.

Thoughts:
Rivera had been perfect this year up until today. He had tied a major league record for consecutive saves at home, in fact, but he will remain co-leaders with Eric Gagne until someone can save 52 in a row.

The Yankees had their chances to break the game open early, but didn’t, and it cost them.

Line of the Day:
Mitre: 5 IP, 4 H, R, ER, BB, 3 K. In 79 pitches, he certainly did the job. This one’s on the back end of the bullpen, not Mitre.

Up Next:
The Yankees have the most exciting week ahead all season! More on that later.