Why the Twins lost to the Yankees

After an improbable comeback in which the Minnesota Twins ended the season 17-4, gained seven games in four weeks and won the American League Central, they matched-up with the New York Yankees in the first round of the playoffs. Nobody outside of Minnesota gave the Twins much of a chance, but the playoffs are a time for hope, and so the team took the field with the same expectation as the other seven teams—a playoff run and a shot at a world title.

The three keys to a series victory for Minnesota against the league-best Yankees were splitting in New York, playing freely and hitting in the clutch. In the end, all three keys came into play, and the results favored New York.

Splitting in New York

With the Twins taking the field only 14 hours after arrival in New York and still high on adrenaline after an extra-inning tiebreaker victory to win the division, the Yankees took game one easily after the Twins took an early lead.

There was no Nick Blackburn, no Scott Baker and no Carl Pavano. After using the entire bunch to make a late run at the playoffs, the Twins were forced to go with left-handed rookie Brian Duensing against one of the league’s best.

A Game One loss put the Twins down, but not out. Victory in Game Two would still give the Twins a split in New York, take away home field advantage and send the team back to the Metrodome very much in the race.

With one of the league’s best closers on the mound and a 3-1 lead, the Twins had that chance. Two home runs later and the Twins went from having a strong opportunity to sitting on the brink of elimination.

Playing freely

In baseball you get three strikes and you’re out, and key No. 1 to an ALDS victory went in New York’s favor. The Twins had their chances, but two games ended in two losses to put the Twins in a deep hole.

One of the Twins’ chances came in Game Two. While the Twins scored first, they could have scored much earlier if not for poor base running. Carlos Gomez cost the team a run with a gaffe on the base paths, and the one run eventually would be the difference.

Already down 0-2 in the series, the Twins made another mistake on the bases in Game Three. With Minnesota trailing by a 2-1 score late, Nick Punto was caught rounding third base. Instead of two on with no outs and a threat, the Twins had a runner on first with one out against a dangerous bullpen.

A team that has long prided itself on making smart plays, and a team that doesn’t often get thrown out on the bases, chose the wrong time to change.

Clutch hitting

After going 4-for-38 with runners in scoring position while being swept earlier this season in New York, Minnesota’s third and final key to victory in the ALDS was hitting in the clutch. The Twins did better, but not enough. They were 8-for-27 with runners in scoring position over the three games, but missed several opportunities. They left 31 runners on base, including 17 in Game Two alone.

As was the case earlier this season, when the Twins were swept in a four-game Yankees series by five total runs, a hit or two in the second two games could have changed the outlook of the series.

A strong month of September with clutch performances on the mound and at the plate helped the Twins make baseball history with a comeback to win the American League Central.

Against a good Yankees club, the team couldn’t capitalize in key moments and ultimately it ended an exciting season and era. There is no satisfaction with a first-round exit, but there is no denying that some final memories were made under the roof of the Metrodome.


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Rob in CT
14 years ago

Though I think it would be a cop-out to blame the loss on it, I don’t see how you can recap the Twins missed opportunities w/o mentioning the blown call on the Mauer non-double in the 11th inning of game 2.  If you’re a Twins fan, it’s big of you, but wrong-headed, not to mention it.

That call still pisses me off, and I’m a Yankees fan.

Rod
14 years ago

If the Twins Manager did not keep changing the pitchers 4 times in one inning, maybe they would have had a chance in game #3.

That was a bad judgement call by him and he has to live with this.

ed
14 years ago

Same old crap. Small market team can’t keep up with the bottomless pockets of the NY team. Twins were lucky the last few weeks of the season. Wait till next year when we’re freezing at the new Tgt Field!

James Mohl
14 years ago

You left out the biggest single reason for the defeat: the bullpen.  Giving up 6 ER in only 9 2/3 IP (5.59 ERA) just won’t cut it.  Take away Guerrier’s 2 scoreless innings and the rest of the pen was at 7.04, led by the dynamic duo of Nathan (9.00) and Mijares (13.50).  And remember: the 2 runs Joe let score in Game 3 weren’t charged to him.  When your setup guy can’t set up and your closer doesn’t close, you can’t win.