Yankees ace CC Sabathia worked, but reliever David Robertson struck Jim Thome in a key and Mariano Rivera got the final four outs to close another victory for the defending champions of the World Series.
The Yankees rallied from a 3-0 deficit against Francisco Liriano and improved to 10-2 against the Twins in the postseason since 2003.
Even a call, driven by the referees - shadows of the past two playoffs - that was against the Yankees with two outs in the bottom of the ninth will not hurt them.
"It's just bad luck of Minnesota. We just keep fighting. That's a great team over there. We have played many tough games against them," said Teixeira.
Michael Cuddyer hit a homer, double and two RBIs for the Twins, who played his first playoff game outdoors in Minnesota since 1970.
They expected a ragged movement of beautiful outdoor Metrodome Target Field to turn its fortunes around, but it was more of the same against the powerful Yankees.
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No one bothered to ask about a five to save.
Rivera got the final out of the eighth inning, leaving the tying run at second base. In the ninth, a missed call on what should have been the final out of the game required Rivera to pick up the third out twice. Therefore, the four output, except in the box score, but the five-out, except in reality.
After their 6-4 Game 1 victory over the Minnesota Twins, the Yankees stole home-field advantage, but looked closer I usually do at this time of year. Better than ever. Or at least better than it has seen recently.
"That's as good as he has been in a long time," Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland said.
Rivera is posteason 40th career save, 31 of which have lasted more than one entry. Closers closest in terms of postseason saves of four outs or more Goose Gossage (seven), Dennis Eckersley (six) and Rollie Fingers (six).
After struggling in September, Rivera entered the playoffs as a question mark. Even Girardi sounded like he was a little worried about what Rivera had left after 40 birthday.
"There is fear in using it for more than three outs?" Girardi said. "Maybe a little."
In the eighth inning with runners on second and third and two men, some fear had evaporated apparently because Girardi turned to Rivera. And Rivera, with cutter, just destroyed Denard Span bat, causing a weak grounder to Derek Jeter to end the entry and preserve the lead.
"I would not want anyone else out there," Jeter said of Rivera would later.
Rivera went to the ninth and, after breaking a racket little more during the first two outs, Delmon Young hit a liner to right that caught Greg Golson, but the referees ruled that he had caught. While Girardi said, Rivera stayed calm.
"It's part of the game and we just have to get the guy next door," Rivera said.
The guy next door to was Jim Thome, who forced Rivera to pop to third.
Rivera was in charge of his new court. The slight change in the grip Eiland and Rivera held in September appears to have been the magic potion. At least, was the first night of the playoffs.
"When Mo starts breaking bats, you know he has his stuff very well," said Eiland.
Rivera did Wednesday. It seemed like he always does at this time of year. Longer meets the Twins in the eighth inning, overcame a bad decision in the ninth inning and the Yankees to ensure at least have the home advantage when they leave here after Game 2.
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Derek Jeter is a cheater? You might think so after what happened in Wednesday's game between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.
At the top of the seventh inning, Jeter was at the plate when a pitch from Chad Qualls Rays' strike appeared on the left arm. slow motion replays, however, showed that the ball hit the bat of Jeter final.
Home plate umpire Lance Barksdale, despite objections from the Rays, said the tone beaten Jeter and awarded the captain of the Yankees first base. Center fielder Curtis Granderson followed with his homer number 18 to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead.
Tampa Bay, Joe Maddon argued unsuccessfully that the ball hit bat Jeter, eventually drawing an ejection Barksdale.
Jeter, who was bent while receiving the attention of a coach, confessed that the ball hit the end of his bat and sold the call to Barksdale with a good quality work.
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