Montgomery overcomes slow start, helps Yankees snap losing streak

MINNEAPOLIS — Jordan Montgomery got off to a slow start against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, but he settled in and helped the New York Yankees snap a 4-game losing streak.

The left-handed pitcher from Sumter gave up two runs in the first inning, but settled in to pitch 5 2/3 innings to help the Yankees to an 8-4 victory,

Montgomery gave up two runs on three hits in the bottom of the first, culminating in a 2-run double by Ryan Jeffers. Montgomery didn’t allow another run until the sixth inning, but he finished with a no decision. He allowed eight hits and three runs, striking out six and walking none.

Montgomery now has eight no decisions in 12 starts, as he owns a 3-1 win-loss record. His earned run average went up a tick to an even 4.00 in 65 1/3 innings. Montgomery has 65 strikeouts while walking 15 batters.

Gary Sánchez and Miguel Andújar both hit home runs and DJ LeMahieu had two hits and a run batted in for the Yankees.

Aaron Judge drove in two runs for New York, which had lost eight of its previous 10 and won despite going 2 for 15 with runners in scoring position and stranding 11.

"We haven't been hitting homers as much as we normally do or putting up crooked numbers as much as we do," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "Sometimes it takes little things in a game to win a ballgame. Tonight's that kind of game where everyone kind of contributed in different ways."

Jonathan Loaisiga (5-2) pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings in relief of Montgomery.

Taylor Rogers (2-3) allowed two runs on three hits in the eighth for Minnesota.

"It's not like they were hitting the ball around the ballpark," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "As we've talked about, sometimes it really doesn't come down to that. It comes down to trying to have a good at-bat, use the whole field, things we talk about a lot. We saw it happen against us out there tonight."

The 95-degree temperature at first pitch was the second-hottest for a game at Target Field, only eclipsed by a 97-degree start on July 16, 2012.

New York took advantage of several Minnesota mistakes.

Tyler Wade scored the go-ahead run on LeMahieu's fielder's choice in the eighth as second baseman Jorge Polanco's throw was wide of the plate for an error. The Twins committed four errors in the game.

"Playing fundamental baseball is something we're going to have to do in order to stay in ballgames, win ballgames," Baldelli said. "Teams that play good baseball, they win games, ultimately. But I'm not concerned about the particular plays we saw today mainly because of why. We were trying to stay in the ballgame."

Judge was walked with the bases loaded in the fifth and another run scored on a wild pitch. Judge earned another RBI as he beat a throw on an attempted double play and an error was charged to shortstop Andrelton Simmons after a review showed he didn't touch the base on the turn.

"With the off-day yesterday and then obviously coming on the road, just trying to almost turn things over and start over anew with the game today," said Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, who had a sacrifice fly for an RBI and a sacrifice bunt. "It definitely can do that and build some momentum. ... Hopefully, we look back and tonight was the start of something special."