3 October 2023
When the Twins take the field on Tuesday, they will be looking to end a playoffs losing streak that has spanned 18 games over 19 years. Here’s a look at how nearly two decades of postseason disappointment has gotten them to this point:
Oct. 6, 2004, ALDS Game 2: Yankees 7, Twins 6, 12 innings
The Twins rallied in the eighth inning for two runs, tying the score and eventually forcing the game into extra innings. But there, after Torii Hunter homered in the top of the 12th inning, Joe Nathan, in his third inning of work, walked two batters and then allowed a game-tying double to Alex Rodriguez. J.C. Romero then served up a walk-off sacrifice fly to Hideki Matsui to begin the streak.
Oct 8, 2004, ALDS Game 3: Yankees 8, Twins 4
Back home at the Metrodome, Carlos Silva gave up six runs in his five innings on the mound, while the Twins managed just one run in six innings off Yankees starter Kevin Brown.
Oct. 9, 2004, ALDS Game 4: Yankees 6, Twins 5, 11 innings
Juan Rincon coughed up four runs, allowing four hits and walking one in a disastrous eighth inning, which tied the score. A wild pitch brought Rodriguez home in the 11th inning, and Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, in his second inning of work, locked down the series win.
Oct. 3, 2006, ALDS Game 1: Athletics, 3, Twins 2
The Twins never led, despite ace pitcher Johan Santana giving them eight innings of two-run ball. Barry Zito was just a little bit better for Oakland, allowing just one run on four hits in his eight innings of work.
Oct. 4, 2006, ALDS Game 2: Athletics 5, Twins 2
Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau tied the score with sixth-inning home runs for the Twins, but an inning later, center fielder Torii Hunter dove for a Mark Kotsay hit that got past him and rolled all the way to the outfield wall for an inside-the-park home run, putting Oakland ahead for good.
Oct. 6, 2006, ALDS Game 3: Athletics 8, Twins 3
The Twins gave up two runs in the second inning, two in the third and another four in the seventh on their way to their sixth straight postseason loss. Though they collected 12 hits, they scored just three runs and committed three errors.
Oct. 7, 2009, ALDS Game 1: Yankees 7, Twins 2
A dramatic 12-inning Game 163 returned the Twins to the playoffs, where they faced the Yankees once more. After the Twins struck first with two runs in the top of the third inning, Derek Jeter’s home run tied the score in the bottom of the third, and the Yankees added another run in the fourth, three more in the fifth and one in the seventh.
Oct. 9, 2009, ALDS Game 2: Yankees 4, Twins 3, 11 innings
Umpire Phil Cuzzi etched his name into Twins history forever, blowing a call on what should have been a Joe Mauer double in the 11th inning of a 3-3 game. The Yankees went on to win on a Mark Teixeira walk-off home run.
Oct. 11, 2009, ALDS Game 3: Yankees 4, Twins 1
Rodriguez and Jorge Polanco hit seventh-inning home runs in the final game at the Metrodome, helping the Yankees advance to the American League Championship Series.
Oct. 6, 2010, ALDS Game 1: Yankees 6, Twins 4
In the first playoff game at Target Field, the Twins saw their 3-0 lead disappear in the sixth inning when Francisco Liriano allowed four runs in his final inning of work. The Yankees added another pair of runs an inning later.
Oct. 7, 2010, ALDS Game 2: Yankees 5, Twins 2
Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte outdueled the Twins’ Carl Pavano, and the Twins finished with six hits in the Game 2 loss to the familiar postseason foe.
Oct. 9, 2010, ALDS Game 3: Yankees 6, Twins 1
Future Twins pitcher Phil Hughes gave up just four hits in his seven shutout innings for the Yankees, while Minnesota’s Brian Duensing was knocked around for five runs in 3 1/3 innings.
Oct. 3, 2017, Wild Card Game: Yankees 8, Twins 4
Brian Dozier hit a home run to lead off the game as part of a three-run first inning for the Twins. But the Yankees responded with a Didi Gregorius three-run homer off Ervin Santana in the bottom of the inning. José Berríos ended up taking the pitching loss, coming on in relief and giving up three runs in his three innings.
Oct. 4, 2019, ALDS Game 1: Yankees 10, Twins 4
The Bomba Squad rolled into Yankee Stadium the winners of 101 regular-season games. But after the Twins’ Berríos gave up three runs (one earned) in four innings, the bullpen gave up seven in the final four innings of the game.
Oct. 5, 2019, ALDS Game 2: Yankees 8, Twins 2
Twins rookie pitcher Randy Dobnak, who moved his way from Class-A Advanced to the majors in a single season, drew the start at Yankee Stadium and was tagged for four runs in two innings. Tyler Duffey followed and gave up four of his own. A seven-run third inning doomed the Twins.
Oct. 7, 2019, ALDS Game 3: Yankees 5, Twins 1
The Twins left 11 runners on base and went 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position in the deciding Game 3.
Sept. 29, 2020, Wild Card Series Game 1: Astros 4, Twins 1
The Twins managed just four hits off Astros pitchers Zack Greinke and Framber Valdez, and they were unable to take advantage of Kenta Maeda’s five scoreless innings. A critical throwing error by Jorge Polanco kept the ninth inning alive, allowing the Astros to score three runs.
Sept. 30, 2020, Wild Card Series Game 2: Astros 3, Twins 1
Future Twins shortstop Carlos Correa finished with two hits, including a big home run for the Astros that broke open a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning to give Houston the lead.
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