Twins outlast Tigers in extra-inning classic to win division
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on October 7, 2009
This could turn out to be the best one-game playoff ever in Major League Baseball history.
The Minnesota Twins fell behind early 3-0, but rallied to tie it before eventually winning it in the 12th with a thrilling6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers.
Detroit got out to a promising start in the 3rd inning, as an RBI single by Magglio Ordonez & a 2-run homer from troubled 1st baseman Miguel Cabrera gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead.
Minnesota’s comeback started in the bottom of the 3rd, as Matt Tolbert reached on an infield single & later scored on Rick Porcello’s fielding error to make it a 3-1 game.
The Twins crept closer in the 6th, as Jason Kubel hit a solo homer off Porcello to make it a 3-2 game.
Orlando Cabrera sent the Metrodome crowd into a frenzy in the 7th, as he belted a go-ahead 2-run homer off Zach Miner to give Minnesota a 4-3 lead.
Magglio Ordonez made sure that Twin lead wouldn’t last long, as he led off the 8th inning with a solo shot off Matt Guerrier to tie it 4-4.
Detroit then took a 5-4 lead in the 10th on Brandon Inge’s clutch 2-out RBI double, which scored pinch-runner Don Kelly from 1st base (ran for Aubrey Huff, who was hit by a 1-out pitch from Jesse Crain.
Minnesota would come back to tie it in the bottom of the 10th on Matt Tolbert’s clutch 2-out RBI single, which scored Michael Cuddyer (lead-off triple) from 3rd & tied the game 5-5.
The Tigers then had a chance to take a commanding lead in the 12th, which started after Miguel Cabrera drew a 1-out walk from Twins reliever Brad Keppel.
Don Kelly then singled & advanced to 2nd on the play, which put runners on 2nd & 3rd for Ryan Raburn.
Raburn drew an intentional walk to load the bases for Brandon Inge, who grounded into a fielder’s choice as Cabrera was forced out at home plate.
Gerald Laird then struck out swinging to end Detroit’s final threat of the game.
The Twins then prompted to put together their game-winning rally in the 12th after Carlos Gomez hit a lead-off single against Tigers closer Fernando Rodney.
Michael Cuddyer then grounded out to Brandon Inge at 3rd base, but was able to advance Gomez to 2nd on the play.
After a Delmon Young intentional walk, the stage was set for Alexi Casilla to bring a division title home.
Casilla lined a single to right field, as Gomez raced around 2nd & made a head-first slide into home plate to start a raucous celebration, as the Minnesota Twins are the 2009 AL Central Division champions.
It’s the first time in baseball history that a team has won a division after being 3 games back with 4 to play.
The Twins will now travel to the Bronx & face the Yankees later today in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, as rookie lefthander Brian Duensing (5-2, 3.64) will square off against ace C.C. Sabathia (19-8, 3.37).
Duensing was shaky in his only previous appearence against New York on July 7th, as he pitched 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen & allowed 4 runs on 2 hits while issuing 4 walks during Minnesota’s 10-2 loss.
Sabathia has had a very good 2nd half (2.74 ERA since All-Star Break) for the Yankees & is 13-8 in 28 career starts against the Twins with a 3.05 ERA.
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