Ellsbury, Yankees Take Huge Lead, Hold Off Twins 9-7

Jacoby Ellsbury homered, doubled and drove in four runs as the New York Yankees took a huge lead, then held off the Minnesota Twins 9-7 Sunday.

Down 9-0 in the fourth inning, the Twins began rallying and eventually and brought the potential winning run to the plate with two outs in the ninth. Kurt Suzuki grounded out with runners at the corners to end it.

Before the game, the Yankees traded lefty Vidal Nuno to Arizona for right-handed starter Brandon McCarthy. New York also cut outfielder Alfonso Soriano.

Derek Jeter and Ichiro Suzuki each had three hits for the Yankees, who have won 14 of 18 overall at Target Field.

Jeter drove in two runs and also fielded Suzuki's grounder to finish off the win. This was Jeter's last scheduled game in Minnesota, although he's expected back later this month for the All-Star game.

Yankees closer David Robertson allowed a run on three hits in the ninth while posting his 21st save in 23 chances.

New York had lost nine of 11 before arriving in Minnesota. Catcher Brian McCann returned to the lineup after missing two games because of a sore foot and doubled home Jeter in the first.

Ellsbury's three-run homer off Ricky Nolasco (5-7) capped a four-run burst in the second that made it 6-0.

Nolasco (5-7) lasted a season-low two innings as Minnesota lost for the 10th time in 13 games.

Hiroki Kuroda (6-6) allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Trevor Plouffe had an RBI double in the fourth and Chris Colabello followed with a two-run homer, his second home run in three games since being recalled from the minors.

Plouffe added a solo home run in the eighth.