Twins finally outlast Yankees at Target Field in wild and wacky 13-inning victory

Bobby Nightengale, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Sep 16, 2026

Published in Baseball

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MINNEAPOLIS — After all the ways the Twins have lost to the New York Yankees this century, all the letdowns in their long saga of misery, maybe they were due for a game like Wednesday's 5-4 win.

Victor Caratini, a pinch hitter, ended the longest (and maybe wackiest) game of the Twins season with a walk-off single in the 13th inning, a ground ball through the middle that snuck past Yankees shortstop George Lombard's glove.

After Caratini watched the first three hours, 47 minutes of the game from the dugout, he had teammates pouring water over his head to celebrate.

The Twins' fifth walk-off win of the season came after closer Yoendrys Gómez blew his first save of the season, giving up a two-run double to Anthony Volpe with two outs in the ninth inning.

The Yankees and Twins both scored one run apiece in the 10th and 11th innings.

In the 12th inning, the Yankees loaded the bases and failed to score against Travis Adams. The rally fell apart after Heliot Ramos bounced into a 1-2-3 double play.

Yankees reliever John Schreiber responded by throwing a two-pitch scoreless inning. Following an intentional walk and one missed bunt attempt, Ryan Kreidler was picked off second base. On the next pitch, Luke Keaschall grounded into an inning-ending double play.

"There’s definitely some things that I wish we wouldn’t have done," Twins manager Derek Shelton said, "but overall, I’m really proud of our group."

The Twins, salvaging one win in their three-game series against the playoff-bound Yankees, ended their six-game homestand against Cleveland and New York with a 2-4 record. The Twins will begin a seven-game West Coast road trip against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday.

Lost amid the extra-inning drama was how well Zebby Matthews pitched.

Matthews, coming off two disappointing starts that didn't help the Twins as they faded out of the playoff race, completed six scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out eight in his first scoreless outing since his season debut on May 14.

Matthews stranded two runners in third inning after giving up a two-out single to Ben Rice and a nine-pitch walk to Cody Bellinger. Matthews struck out Aaron Judge, pumping three fastballs past the three-time American League Most Valuable Player.

Judge was replaced by a pinch hitter before his next at-bat, exiting with right lower leg tightness, the Yankees announced.

Matthews retired 10 of his final 11 batters. His eight strikeouts were his highest total since he struck out 10 against the Seattle Mariners on July 31.

Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last 25 starts, the longest streak in franchise history and the seventh-longest in MLB history (excluding openers). He permitted two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings.

Josh Bell lined an RBI single to left field in the first inning, scoring Luke Keaschall from second base, and Ryan Kreidler hit a solo homer to the facing of the second deck in left field to lead off the fifth inning.

Twins reliever A.J. Minter left the bases loaded in the eighth inning, striking out Luis García after allowing two singles and a walk.