Bombers bits

• The Yankees are going with a three-man bench, in part because they plan to have Ivan Nova start one of the four games against the Twins next week at Target Field, but also because their Triple-A roster has been hit by injuries.

Manager Joe Girardi said that the only likely option for a callback from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is outfielder Thomas Neal, who had two hits in 11 at-bats for New York earlier this month. Such other choices as infielder Ronnier Mustelier and outfielder Brennan Boesch remain on the Triple-A disabled list.

• The Yankees entered play on Saturday 5 1/2 games behind the American League East-leading Red Sox, the farthest they've been out of first place this season, but Girardi has not seen any panic in the clubhouse.

"I think their personalities have been really consistent throughout, the winning end and the losing, so I don't think it's wearing them down," he said.

• On this date in 1947, the Yankees started a franchise-record stretch of 19 consecutive victories, outscoring their opponents, 119-41, during the span.