By Jim Scott
DNAinfo Senior Editor
MANHATTAN — Nick Swisher crushed a solo home run to right field in the top of the ninth inning to lead New York to a 3-2 win over Minnesota, giving them two victories in the same day against the Twins Wednesday at Target Field.
Swisher's home run off Minnesota closer Jon Rauch put Yankees starter Andy Pettitte (6-1) in line for his team-leading sixth win of the season.
Pettitte was brilliant on the mound in the night game, holding the Twins to two runs in eight innings. The veteran southpaw scattered eight hits and lowered his ERA to 2.62.
Rookie Kevin Russo had an RBI double in the fourth inning and scored on a Brett Gardner triple in the sixth inning for the Yankees.
Mariano Rivera shut down the Twins in order in the ninth inning to earn his ninth save of the season and second save against Minnesota in five hours.
The Twins and Yankees began the day finishing a scoreless game that had been suspended after five innings because of rain on Tuesday.
Derek Jeter homered off Brian Duensing to give the Yankees a 1-0 win in the first game.
New York had lost five of six games before picking up two wins over the Twins. Four of the Yankees last six wins have come against Minnesota. Javier Vazquez (3-4) will try to make it a three-game sweep against the Twins as he takes the mound in the series finale on Thursday.
