Royce Lewis of the Minnesota Twins joyfully celebrates in the dugout following his solo home run in the third inning of Game 1 of an AL wild-card baseball playoff series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, in Minneapolis. (Photograph by Abbie Parr, courtesy of AP)
For nearly two decades, the Minnesota Twins struggled in the playoffs, losing 18 games in a row. But that all changed in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Twins triumphed with a 3-1 win, ending their infamous losing streak, the longest in North American men’s pro sports history.
Heroic Return: Royce Lewis Leads the Charge
Royce Lewis, who had been dealing with injuries, came back just in time to hit two home runs. Lesser-known players like Michael Taylor, Donovan Solano, and Griffin Jax also stepped up. One of their star players, Carlos Correa made a game-changing defensive play, and their new ace, Pablo Lopez, pitched brilliantly to end the streak.
“This game meant a lot to us for many reasons,” Lopez said after holding the Blue Jays to just one run. “We wanted to end this unfortunate streak for our fans. They’ve supported us through thick and thin. It just felt right. Now, we’re starting a new streak.”
Lewis’s Remarkable Postseason Debut
Lewis, who was the top pick in the draft six years ago, had faced setbacks due to injuries. This season, he finally made it to the big leagues, but injuries almost derailed his journey. Despite a hamstring strain, he fought hard to be in the lineup for Game 1.
In his first at-bat, Lewis hit a home run, giving the Twins an early lead. He later hit another one, becoming only the third player in history to homer in their first two career postseason plate appearances.
Lewis couldn’t believe it himself, saying, “That’s a God thing. I’m just blessed to be part of it. It felt like I was blacked out the whole game. My heart was racing.”
Fans’ Ecstasy at Target Field
The fans at Target Field were ecstatic, and Lewis took advice from Joe Mauer to soak in the moment.
“The fans stepped up for us,” Lewis said. “It was special.”
The Twins’ manager, Rocco Baldelli, also praised the fans, saying the atmosphere was out of this world.
Twins’ Defense and Pitching Hold Strong
The Blue Jays threatened throughout the game, but the Twins’ defense and pitching held strong. Griffin Jax, the Twins’ setup man, struck out key Blue Jays batters when it mattered most.
The game also featured some incredible defensive plays, including a game-changing throw by Carlos Correa to catch a runner at home.
Pablo Lopez Shines as the New Ace
Lopez, wearing the jersey of Twins legend Johan Santana, set the tone and became the first Twins pitcher in almost two decades to win a postseason game.
“Some people believe in fate, some people believe that the things we do today drive what we do tomorrow,” Lopez said. “But sometimes things line up too perfectly to pass up on those opportunities.”
Information from ESPN was used in this report.
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