Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Trevor Plouffe belted a solo home run to left in the bottom of the first, giving the Twins a 1-0 lead, and a brief, delicious taste of hope. And then it all went to hell again, as the Twins wouldn't get another hit for seven innings and the Yankees cruised again, 8-1.

As always when you face New York, the question you have to answer is, "How do you deal with Russell Martin?" Kevin Slowey didn't have a response, as he allowed both a game-tying home run in the 2nd and a 2-run shot in the 6th to the legendary journeyman catcher. In the meantime, the Yankees pecked away at the Twins enigmatic, if handsome, starter, scoring runs on back-to-back doubles from Robinson Cano and Mark Teixiera to take the lead for good, and two more runs in the 5th.

While the Yankees were methodically doing what it is they do, Phil Hughes shut the Twins down following the Plouffe home run, not allowing another hit until Luke Hughes (no relation)' one-out single in the 8th.

Studs: Martin, Curtis Granderson, Teixiera, Anthony Swarzak's facial hair.

Duds: Slowey, this season.

Enjoy your weekend, everybody. It gets better.