Sabathia Gets First Win as Yankees Top Twins

CC Sabathia shook off early trouble to get a rare April win for the Yankees and backup catcher Chris Stewart hit a go-ahead, two-run single and had three RBIs for the first time in his career to lead New York over the Minnesota Twins 8-3 Tuesday night.

Sabathia (1-0) allowed three runs and four hits in 7 1-3 innings with seven strikeouts and one walk. After falling behind 3-1 in the third, he didn't allow a hit and retired 13 in a row during one stretch.

In going 19-8 last year, Sabathia didn't get his first win until his fifth start. He is just 7-4 in March and April since joining the Yankees in 2009 and 18-14 through April in his career.

Francisco Liriano (0-2) had his third straight poor outing, allowing five runs, seven hits and four walks in 2 1-3 innings.