By Jim Scott
DNAinfo Senior Editor
MANHATTAN — Rookie Ivan Nova pitched six strong innings and the Yankees bullpen made an early lead stand up as New York topped the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Monday.
Nova gave up just three runs in six innings and held the Twins hitless until Justin Morneau doubled in the fourth. Joba Chamberlain, Rafael Soriano and Mariano Rivera each pitched one scoreless inning to close out the win for New York.
The Yankees jumped out to an early lead thanks to a two-run home run by Alex Rodriguez in the first inning and another by Jorge Posada in the second.
Posada has hit three home runs in four games as New York's designated hitter. The longtime Yankees catcher shook off any connection between his hot start and his offseason position change.
"I think everybody’s fresh and it’s April," Posada, 39, told the Associated Press. "If I was catching or DHing, I think I would feel the same way."
Posada is not the only player knocking the ball out of the park for New York. The Yankees have hit 11 home runs in four games.
New York hopes to keep up the power surge as they send ace CC Sabathia will take the mound against the Twins on Tuesday. Sabathia has won his last seven starts against Minnesota.
The Twins will counter with right-hander Brian Duensing. Duensing went 0-2 with a 11.25 ERA in two postseason starts against New York over the last two seasons.
The Yankees have beaten Minnesota in 14 of the last 15 games at Yankee Stadium.
