Allowing a record 10 runs in a humiliating seventh inning
Sunday, the Twins lost 13-5 to Anaheim in Game 5 of the AL
championship series -- won 4-1 by the Angels, who advanced to their
first World Series.
For all that went right for Minnesota in 2002 -- reaching the
ALCS with the fourth-lowest payroll in the majors after surviving
baseball's plan to fold the franchise, numerous injuries to key
players and two first-round elimination games against Oakland --
everything went wrong in the seventh.
''I don't know if I've ever seen an inning like that,'' manager
Ron Gardenhire said. ''We couldn't get anybody out.''
After scoring three times against Anaheim's dominant bullpen in
the top of the seventh, Minnesota's 5-3 lead lasted barely more
than five minutes.
The Twins must have felt like the bottom half of the inning
would never end.
''It was the longest inning of my life,'' first baseman Doug
Mientkiewicz said.
And just like that, the Twins' season -- as improbable as three
home runs by Anaheim second baseman Adam Kennedy -- was over.
Mientkiewicz and shortstop Cristian Guzman were the last two
leaning on the dugout railing, watching the Angels celebrate on the
field.
''I'm big on watching,'' Mientkiewicz said. ''Just try to soak
it up, see the reaction. It helps me swallow it.''
The seventh inning was especially difficult to digest.
''Nine outs away from going home,'' Mientkiewicz said. ''It's a
tough thing.''
The inning was just as up-and-down for Minnesota as last winter,
when the team didn't learn until days before spring training that
baseball's contraction plan was blocked in court and they'd be
playing this season.
However, this game didn't have a happy ending for the Twins.
Given a 5-3 lead, reliever Johan Santana gave up back-to-back
singles before Kennedy's uppercut swing sent an 0-2 pitch sailing
into the sea of red-clad fans in right field.
Suddenly trailing 6-5 and spirits sagging, Minnesota fell apart.
LaTroy Hawkins gave up three consecutive singles -- Anaheim's six
straight hits set an LCS record.
J.C. Romero entered and walked in a run.
With one out, Shawn Wooten hit an RBI single. Romero's wild
pitch scored another run, and Scott Spiezio drove in a run with a
single.
Bob Wells came in, and Chone Figgins hit an RBI single -- the
Angels' 10th hit of the inning. David Eckstein got hit by a pitch,
and Darin Erstad knocked in the 13th run with a groundout.
Finally, Alex Ochoa struck out.
When the damage was done, the Angels had tied a postseason
record with 10 runs, and the 13 total runs in the inning set a new
postseason mark.
The Twins' bullpen -- a strength all season -- finished the series
with a 13.50 ERA.
''We just scored three off their bullpen,'' catcher A.J.
Pierzynski said, ''and for that to happen ... it just wasn't meant
to be.''
Santana stared blankly after Kennedy's homer and walked ever so
slowly toward the dugout after Gardenhire removed him.
''It was a tough moment,'' the manager said. ''We just took a
lead and then, boom, they came right back and got it. You couldn't
do anything. You just had to sit there and watch.''
The Twins, though still shocked by their late-game collapse,
remained upbeat about the way their season went.
And how could they not? This is a team that endured eight
straight losing seasons from 1993-2000 before returning to
contention last year. And then came the contraction issue.
''We didn't get to the World Series, but we did get to the
ALCS,'' said center fielder Torii Hunter, quickly flashing a grin.
''I wouldn't mind doing this again.''
They're in good position to return to the playoffs, provided
they can keep the roster together.
Owner Carl Pohlad said earlier this season the team won't
increase its $41 million payroll, but several players will be in
line for significant raises through salary arbitration.
''Hopefully, Mr. Pohlad will step up to the plate and get it
done,'' Pierzynski said. ''We'd like to get another opportunity
together.''
