Now I understand why the Twins spent nearly 7,000 days without losing in the postseason. They were waiting for Royce Lewis to grow up and win one game.
Lewis, who was a 5-year-old kindergartener the last time the Twins led in a playoff series, jumped from the disabled list to the winner’s circle on Tuesday and hit home runs in his first two postseason appearances as a pro.
As is customary in the postseason, the Twins’ offense did little else, but Lewis’ performance helped end the longest postseason drought in professional sports history, leading to a 3-0 win over the Blue Jays in the American League Wild Card Series. 1 was enough to win. target field.
They had lost 18 straight games since Game 1 of the 2004 Division Series, but after holding the Blue Jays to five hits and one run in 5 2/3 innings, Pablo López exclaimed, “A new winning streak has begun.”
“We’re 1-0, so that’s what I want to focus on right now,” Lopez said.
Especially since just two more games is enough to end a six-game losing streak and advance to the best-of-five, which begins Saturday in Houston. Sonny Gray will be on the mound for the Twins on Wednesday, with a tiebreaker scheduled for Thursday if necessary.
There’s a lot of work to do for the Twins, especially if they’re going to accomplish their boldest ambition: a World Series in Minnesota. But ending a decades-old storyline of futility and, more importantly, ending a 13-game losing streak at home dating back to the 2002 playoffs at the long-demolished Metrodome There was little doubt that it was cathartic for him. The Twins and the stadium are full of fans.
“Honestly, I thought the venue was going to crack open and melt,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said, marveling at the atmosphere created by the crowd of 38,450. “It was out of this world, on the field. The fans took over the game.”
Well, so was Lewis. It was a victory for the rookie, who was just able to play again after being sidelined for two weeks with a left hamstring strain. The training staff told him not to push himself too hard, such as running the bases, for fear of recurrence.
They didn’t say anything about home run lots.
Lewis said of the game in which he hit two home runs for the first time in his career, “I’m really happy to be a part of it. My heart was pounding.” “I was just getting that energy out and playing the game that I’ve loved my whole life.”
The rookie received a huge ovation when he stepped up to bat in the first inning as the Twins’ designated hitter. But that cheer was compared to the roar that echoed throughout the park when the rookie infielder pivoted on a 3-and-2 fastball from Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman and drove it 10 rows deep into the left field stands. It was just a whisper.
“He went there for a fastball and got one,” Gausman said with a shrug. “I missed the slot by 3.5 feet. A good hitter will make him pay for that.”
The screaming liner also scored Edouard Julien, who had started the inning with a walk.
Two innings later, Lewis, the newly crowned American League Rookie of the Month for September — seriously, he was informed of the award on the morning of the first playoff game — said more from Gausman. He received a weak fastball that curved toward the barrel. his bat. Lewis lifted it the other way, just clearing a flower pot that was in front of the seats on the right-center field wall.
Carlos Correa said of his fellow No. 1 overall draft pick, “He’s a one-of-a-kind person.” “I feel like he hits a home run every day, every time. He’s a really special talent, the type of talent that can win a lot of ballgames come postseason.”
With this, Lewis became the third player in major league history to open his postseason career with back-to-back home runs, joining Evan Longoria of the Rays in 2008 and Gary Gaetti of the Twins in 1987.
“By the way, I’m also amazed at what Royce can do,” Lopez joked.
The Twins never scored again and couldn’t even get an extra base hit. In fact, Toronto outscored them 6-5. But Lopez and the Twins’ four-man relief quartet stood up, starting with Minnesotans Louie Berland and Caleb Thielver, who were the first out of the bullpen in front of a home crowd hungry for a win.
“I got a lot of emails saying, ‘Don’t do it until the 20th inning!'” said Thielber, who retired from the Jays’ batting order in the seventh inning. “It was great, all three Minnesota guys. [including outfielder Matt Wallner] Must play. That was a fun time. ”
And the stellar defense made it even better.
For example, Michael A. Taylor rushed in to steal a hit from Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk in the second inning with a diving catch at short center, a play that ended Toronto’s chance for a big inning. Shortly after Kevin Kiermaier hit Toronto’s only home run in the sixth inning, Taylor returned to the center field wall. With two runners on base and two outs, the outfielder made a jump catch near Matt Chapman’s home run to prevent the Jays from tying the game.
Max Kepler also made a catch against the wall, and Donovan Solano made a diving stop to end the game.
Perhaps most importantly, in the fourth inning, when Jorge Polanco overran a slow chopper at third base and allowed the ball to roll away in front of him, Correa rushed to retrieve the ball and put the ball into his at-bat. Ryan Jeffers tagged Bo Bichette. Outside.
“Plays like that turn the game on its head,” Baldelli appreciated.
Now, the Twins are hoping that their first playoff win in 19 years will turn their postseason fortunes around.
“So, I was that senior.” [Randolph] High school in 2004.I remember [Twins’ last win]”Sielber said. “I’ve been through everything that you fans are going through. This was the team I grew up with. It’s still my team. I know how people feel and I want everyone to know tonight. I also know how much of a weight has been lifted off my back.”
