MINNEAPOLIS — Since 2014, the Minnesota Twins right-hander Ricky Nolasco’s 5.49 E.R.A. ranks as the highest of any starting pitcher in the major leagues with 250 or more innings. Nolasco has not been quite as dreadful lately, posting three quality starts in his last four appearances entering Saturday. But the Yankees, in a mini-offensive resurgence after winning the first two games of the series, liked their chances.
Yet there was Nolasco, taking a 4-0 lead to the seventh on a sunny, steamy afternoon at Target Field. But Nolasco weakened, as Carlos Beltran singled and Alex Rodriguez homered to cut the lead in half.