By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN —George Steinbrenner would have been proud.
The Yankees looked like their vintage selves Saturday night, beating the Minnesota Twins 6-1 to complete an impressive sweep and win a spot in the American League Championship Series.
But, until they win the World Series, it’s all business for the defending champions.
"We have a long way to go," captain Derek Jeter told reporters.
"We gained a lot of confidence, the way we did last year in the playoffs."
It's the third time in the past seven years that the Bronx Bombers have nixed the Twins' title dreams in the first round – including last season when the Yankees went on to win the World Series.
But this year's run to the playoffs has been different. The Yankees came into the series following a September of injuries and dismal performances. They came into the playoffs having won only nine of their last 26 games and with many experts believing that their pitching was not up to par.
The Twins may argue otherwise after they were outscored 17-7 in the series.
"This is not much fun at all, to come up here, being knocked out, knowing your season is over with again after three games in the playoffs," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters after the game.
Phil Hughes pitched seven shutout innings in a game that could be the biggest of the 24-year-old’s career to date.
"You know you have to go out there and pull your weight," Hughes said. "We know what we’re capable of doing."
The Yankees' first ALCS game is on Friday, against the winner of the Texas vs. Tampa Bay series.
But, while the team stays focused on the games ahead, Mayor Bloomberg said Friday he already had the celebratory parade planned for when the team wins the World Series.
"I like where his head's at," Nick Swisher told ESPN New York. "But we've got a lot of work to do.
