Twins 3B Matt Tolbert leaves game against Yankees with strained oblique muscle

Twins’ Tolbert leaves Game 2 with strained muscle

NEW YORK — Minnesota Twins third baseman Matt Tolbert has left Game 2 of their division series against the New York Yankees because a strained left oblique muscle.

Tolbert was lifted in the sixth inning Friday night for pinch-hitter Brendan Harris, who hit an RBI triple off the wall in left-center to give the Twins a 1-0 lead.

Tolbert hit what should have been an RBI single with two outs in the fourth inning but baserunner Carlos Gomez was tagged out taking too big a turn at second base before Delmon Young could cross the plate.

Tolbert was 1 for 2 in the game and is 1 for 5 in the series.