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MLB: N.Y. Yankees 7, Minnesota 6

NEW YORK, July 5 (UPI) -- Hideki Matsui broke a tie with a two-run home run in the eighth inning Thursday, helping the New York Yankees to a 7-6 win over the Minnesota Twins.

Melky Cabrera hit a three-run homer and Robinson Cano added a solo shot in a five-run Yankee second that put New York ahead 5-2 but Minnesota tied the score with a three-run rally of its own.

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Twins reliever Pat Neshek (3-1) started the eighth and got two outs before walking Derek Jeter. Matsui worked the count to 3-1 before connecting with his shot to the right-field stands for his 10th home run of the season that made the score 7-5.

Minnesota threatened in the ninth with singles from Luis Rodriguez and Jason Kubel. After Mariano Rivera got a strike out, Rodriguez scored on a ground out. Rivera struck out Michael Cuddyer to end the game and collect the 424th save of his career. He is tied with John Franco for third on the all-time saves list.

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Yankees starter Kei Igawa was ineffective, giving up five runs in five innings. Kyle Farnsworth (1-1) pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning and got the win.

Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez could miss next week's Al-Sar game because of a left hamstring injury suffered in this series. He did not play Thursday.

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