Big Nights from Didi and Hicks Lift Yankees Past Twins

YANKEES 14 - TWINS 12 
10 INNINGS 

If the Yankees do in fact win the World Series later this season, mark down July 23 against the Minnesota Twins as one of the most important games of the season.

Because the Yankees, who trailed 9-5 going into the eighth inning packed a seasons worth of dramatic moments into the span of three innings as they pulled out a miracle 14-12 victory.

And a lot of it can be attributed to the heroics of shortstop Didi Gregorius and center fielder Aaron Hicks.

Gregorius had a career night, going 5-for-5 with seven RBI. His two-run double in the first inning gave the Bronx Bombers a 2-0 lead. And his three-run bomb in the fifth inning brought the Yankees back to within three runs at 8-5.

Yet he delivered the keynote in the midst of a chaotic five-run eighth inning as the Yankees jumped out in front 10-9. The rally started when Mike Tauchman drove in Gleyber Torres on a RBI double to right to slice the Twins lead to 9-6. Two batters later, Aaron Judge plated by Tauchman and Gio Urshela to make it a one-run game.

Finally, Gregorius answered again, doubling to right to score both Judge and D.J. LeMahieu to put the Yankees in front 10-9.

That lead would be short lived as the game quickly turned into a battle of attrition for both ball clubs. A two-run blast by Minnesota's Miguel Sano off Zach Britton in the bottom of the eighth gave the Twins an 11-10 advantage.

The Yankees soon responded when Aaron Hicks crushed the first pitch he saw to left center for a two-run, two-out jack to put the Yankees up again 12-11.

Unfortunately for the Yankees the game didn't end there. Aroldis Chapman who has really struggled with his command of late, walked Ehire Adrianza, Mitch Garver, and Max Kelper in succession to load the bases. With sweat pouring down the brim of his hat like a bucket of water, Chapman surrendered the lead on a sac-fly by Jorge Polonco to tie it up once more at 12 sending everyone into extra innings.

And in the tenth inning, the Yankees wasted no time. Of course Didi Gregorius got the party started with a single to right, only to be followed by a single by Austin Romine that moved Gregorius into scoring position. Finally Gleyber Torres ripped a pitch to right center, scoring Gregorius with the go-ahead run. Romine would later score on a wild pitch to give the Bombers some insurance.

And boy, did they need it.

Reliever Adam Ottovino just couldn't get out of a tight jam, walking the bases loaded with two out and forcing manager Aaron Boone to go into the bullpen to bring in Chad Green.

Little did Boone know that this singular moment set up the greatest play of the entire Major League Baseball season. On a 2-1 pitch to Kelper, the Twins center fielder crushed a pitch towards the gap in left center.

The ball looked destined to sale over the head of Hicks and roll up against the warning track, almost certainly tying the game at 14. But Hicks timed the ball perfectly. He got got underneath it and made a leaping jump for it and caught the ball in mid flight, falling belly-first onto the warning track. Once he realized he has the ball, he pounded his fist against his glove as the Yankees robbed the Twins of a potential walk-off victory.

Call it whatever you want, Hicks' grab is easily the greatest catch of the entire season. It will go down as one of the greatest catches of all time. And if the Yankees do in fact win the World Series this year the legend of Hicks' catch will only grow. What a moment.