Buxton's absence with right hip injury felt in New York as bats struggle

NEW YORK -- In a game like this, it was easy to see just how much the Twins miss Byron Buxton.

Buxton remained out of Minnesota’s starting lineup for a fourth consecutive game on Friday as he continues to manage a right hip impingement.

With Buxton on the bench, the bats stayed relatively quiet and the Twins dropped the opening game of a three-game series to the Yankees, 5-2.

Minnesota has now lost eight of its last nine games at Yankee Stadium. Including the postseason, the Twins are 14-48 at the current version of Yankee Stadium, which opened in 2009.

“We didn’t get the big hit,” manager Derek Shelton said. “We’ve been getting the big hit for most of the year, and we didn’t get it tonight.”

Minnesota entered Friday’s game hitting .288 with runners in scoring position, the best mark in the Majors. It’s no small part why the Twins also began the day averaging 4.88 runs per game, sixth most in the Majors.

On Friday, though, they went just 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. The lone hit was a run-scoring single from catcher Victor Caratini, which brought the Twins within one run in the fourth inning on the other side of a 53-minute rain delay.

“Tonight, we had a tough night,” Shelton said.

It’s certainly one area where Buxton’s continued absence is felt. A two-time All-Star, Buxton is hitting .268/.325/.573 with 25 home runs and an .898 OPS through 73 games. He’s a strong candidate to be named to his third All-Star team -- and perhaps earn his second starting nod -- when rosters are announced on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

For now, though, the Twins have not said when Buxton will be back in the lineup. Shelton noted that Thursday’s off-day was “very helpful,” and expressed optimism pregame that Buxton would be able “to do more things” on Friday. He did not provide an update after the game regarding what Buxton was, or wasn’t, able to do.

Buxton, 32, last played on June 28.

“You want to have your All-Star players in the lineup and on the team playing,” said first baseman Royce Lewis. “He’s doing the best that he can. We’re playing the long game, too. He’s trying to make the playoffs. I know we all are.”

Buxton missed five games in mid-May with similar hip discomfort that specifically troubled him while running. This time, though, Buxton underwent an MRI after his swing felt off during last weekend’s series against the Rockies.

As Buxton’s absence lingers, the Twins are continuing to take a day-to-day approach. Their focus remains on the bigger picture: Even after Friday’s loss, they sit just 4.5 games out of first place in the AL Central. The Trade Deadline looms next month, too.

“People will forget about July 3,” Lewis said. “It’s like football. They have five days to forget about one game. Luckily, we have less than 24 hours. We’re going to turn the page real quick. I thought we did a good job. Obviously, a couple key little bloopers would have been nice, but they didn’t fall.”

Lewis had the best opportunity of the night. The Twins loaded the bases with an infield hit and a pair of full-count walks against Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz. That brought Lewis, he of six career grand slams, to the plate representing the potential go-ahead run.

But it was not meant to be. Lewis hooked a ground ball to third base, leading to an inning-ending forceout.

It was just that kind of night for the Twins, minus their star player.

“I like the fact that we’re getting good opportunities and having good at-bats,” Lewis said. “Sometimes, they’re going to make good pitches.”