Bats, bullpen help Yanks advance

Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius and a brilliant bullpen rescued the host Yankees from a rugged start and lifted them to their first postseason victory in five years.

Gregorius’ three- run homer tied the score after the Twins knocked out Luis Severino in the first inning, Judge showed his most emotion this season when he hit a two- run shot in his playoff debut and the Yankees beat the Twins 8- 4 on Tuesday night in the American League wild- card game.

Brett Gardner also homered for the Yankees, who chased Ervin Santana after two innings.

Chad Green, David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle and Aroldis Chapman combined for 8⅔ innings of one- run, five- hit relief, striking out 13 to tie the postseason record for a bullpen.

“It was just remarkable,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

The Yankees open the best- of- five Division Series on Thursday at the AL Central champion Indians. Masahiro Tanaka is likely to start against the Indians’ Trevor Bauer. Cy Young favorite Corey Kluber will start Game 2 for the Indians.

The Twins lost their 13th consecutive postseason game, tying the record set by the Red Sox from1986 to ’ 95.

The Twins have been eliminated by the Yankees in five of their last six postseason appearances.

Brian Dozier led off the game with a home run, and Eddie Rosario hit a two- run drive as the Twins burst to a quick lead and stunned the sellout crowd of 49,280 at Yankee Stadium.

But Santana was little better than Severino, going to full counts on eight of 11 batters. Gregorius erased the lead four batters into the bottom of the first, and Santana was removed after six outs and 64 pitches with the Twins trailing 4- 3.