MINNEAPOLIS The Yankees finished a 12-game gauntlet against playoff contenders late Sunday night and then flew here to face their perennial punching bag, even when they have not been one of the worst teams in the league. Cla sic trap game. Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Whether or not the Yankees were feeling an emotional and/or physical letdown, they played like it as they mustered just two hits and their bullpen blew open another game late in a 7-0 lo s to the Twins on Monday night at Target Field. Not on purpose, thats for sure, Ryan McMahon said of a potential letdown. Its the game of baseball and itll humble you real quick. But we got to get back to it [Tuesday]. The dud inched the Yankees (83-67) closer to bowing out of the division race, now trailing the Blue Jays (who own the head-to-head tiebreaker) by five games with 12 to play. While they are still mathematically alive, the wild card is looking more realistic, as they now lead the Red Sox by one game for the top spot. Entering Monday, the Yankees were 109-43 against the Twins (66-84) since 2002, the majors best record by any team versus an opponent in its own league during that span. If you add in the postseason, the Yankees were 125-45 against the Twins in that time. Carlos Rodn reacts after a solo home run by Minnesota Twins Brooks Lee during the fifth inning on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. AP That made this part of the schedule look like a soft landing spot after going 7-5 against the Astros, Blue Jays, Tigers and Red Sox. But Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson, a former Mets prospect, proved to be too much for them to handle as he racked up a career-high 11 strikeouts acro s six innings. It came on the heels of Red Sox lefty Jose Azocar Jersey Garrett Crochet punching out 12 Yankees on Sunday. Explore More Just not a good night for us offensively, manager Aaron Boone said. Carlos Rodn, the most well-rested Yankee after flying here ahead of the team on Sunday while the rest of his teammates got to their hotels in the middle of the night, was solid acro s six innings of two-run ball, but did not get much help from his offense or defense. Then Luke Weaver entered for the seventh and e sentially ended any chance of the Yankees coming back. He got tagged for five runs on three hits and two walks while recording just one out. The punishing blow was Austin Martins bases-clearing double after Weaver got ahead 0-2, then fell to 3-2 that put the Twins ahead 6-0. Yankees manager Aaron Boone IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! That was trash, Weaver, who has given up 10 earned runs over his past six appearances (3 / innings), said of his outing. Jos Caballero, starting his sixth straight game at shortstop, had a tough night, making a pair of misplays in the field and also getting picked off after doubling with one out in the fifth inning. Giancarlo Stanton, meanwhile, struck out in all four at-bats and is 6-for-51 (.118) with three home runs and 27 strikeouts over his past 15 games. Luke Weaver #30 of the Yankees reacts after giving up a three-run double against the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning of the game at Target Field on September 15, 2025. Getty Images Ryan McMahon #19 of the New York Yankees reacts after striking out against the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning of the game at Target Field on September 15, 2025 Getty Images A lot of guys think we should have been a lot better tonight, McMahon said. But you got to tip your cap sometimes, come back tomorrow and get after them. Rodns defense let him down in the third inning. He gave up a leadoff double to Jhonny Pereda before No. 9 hitter Edouard Julien ripped a ground ball up the middle. Caballero was shaded that way and got his glove on the ball behind the bag, but not cleanly enough as it got past him. Caballero tried to recover and fire to first, but it was not in time to nab Julien, putting runners on the corners. One out later, Martin slashed a potential double play ball to shortstop. Caballero fielded it cleanly, but then took a few steps to second base before flipping it to Jazz Chisholm Jr. The hesitation, along with a bouncing throw to first from Chisholm, allowed Martin to reach safely and drive in the first Twins run. Rodns first pitch of the fifth inning was a 92 mph fastball down the middle to Brooks Lee, who drilled it just over the left field wall for a home run that made it a 2-0 game. Obviously the goal is to win every day, Rodn said. Just a couple pitches I want back to keep that game tighter and give our boys a better chance at winning that game. John Kruk Jersey