Bronx, NY (Best E Casino) - Bobby Abreu hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs, as the New York Yankees crushed the Minnesota Twins, 8-2, in the middle duel of a three-game set from Yankee Stadium.

Derek Jeter drove in two runs for the Yankees, who have won five straight overall and nine in a row at home; NY had not won nine straight in the Bronx since May 2005. Robinson Cano went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI, as he now has five straight multi-hit games. Jason Giambi was responsible for driving in the other NY run.

Darrell Rasner lasted 5 2/3 frames and yielded just two runs on four hits. David Robertson (2-0) got the win despite recording only the final out in the sixth inning.

Jason Kubel recorded the only RBI for the Twins, who have dropped three straight and 4-of-6 overall. Carlos Gomez had a double, which was the only extra-base hit for Minnesota.

Kevin Slowey (6-7) was dealt the loss as he gave up four runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings of work.

The Yankees jumped on top, 1-0, in the second inning. Alex Rodriguez led off the frame with a double to right and moved to third as Giambi grounded out. Cano then laced a single to right, which scored Rodriguez.

The Twins took a 2-1 lead in the sixth. Gomez led off the inning with a double to left field. Denard Span then hit a slow roller towards Cano, who rushed a throw that Giambi missed, allowing Gomez to cross home plate.

"We had a lot of good counts but we couldn't put them away," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "These guys (the Yankees) are good hitters, very professional hitters. We just got to come back strong tomorrow."

Alexi Casilla kept it going with a single and Joe Mauer grounded into a force before Justin Morneau worked a walk to load the bases. Kubel grounded to Giambi, who threw to Jeter to get the out at second, but the throw to first for the double play was late and the run scored.

Johnny Damon led off the home sixth with a single and, after Jeter flied out, Abreu crushed a long homer to right. Rodriguez kept it going with a single that chased Slowey in favor of Dennys Reyes. Giambi worked a walk and Cano followed with an RBI single to make it 4-2.

"It feels great," Abreu said of the home run. "I was looking for a pitch to hit, I tried to break it down. I was looking for a middle-in pitch."

NY tacked on some more runs in the seventh. Brett Gardner worked a walk and Damon reached as Brian Buscher couldn't field his slow-roller. Jeter then laced a two-run double down the left field line and came around as Abreu followed with a double.

Brian Bass was then called on in relief and got Rodriguez to ground out. Giambi, though, slugged an RBI single back up the middle and it was 8-2.

Game Notes

New York moved a season-high 10 games over .500 and sits 3 1/2 games behind the Rays for the top spot in the AL East. Tampa Bay fell 8-1 to Oakland on Tuesday...The Yankees have won four of their six matchups with the Twins this year, and hold a 9-4 advantage in the series since the start of last season...Minnesota has dropped 18 of its last 21 trips to the Bronx and have lost seven consecutive series at Yankee Stadium.