Simmesota advances to ALCS



Game 1 -- Twins 4, Mariners 0:

Twins ace Josh Beckett pitched 7 strong innings, giving up only 3 hits, while striking out 9.

Troy Glaus got things started early with a home run in the first off of Mark Mulder -- who went on to give up 3 more runs in 5 2/3 innings. Mulder took the loss.

Ichiro, who scored a run, got hurt in the ninth inning while catching the final out -- he's doubtful for game 2.



Game 2 -- Twins 8, Mariners 5:

Twins starter Jesus Sanchez was knocked out quickly, giving up 4 runs in only 1 2/3 innings of work.

After two innings, the Twins were down 4-2, and their bullpen was in the game.

"It didn't look to good -- we weren't planning on using our bullpen that early," said Twins manager C6EO.

Meanwhile, the offense had it's work cut out for it. 

"We needed someone to step up to the plate and get the job done," said Jeff Nelson. "Sheffield and Martinez did just that."

The dynamic duo combined for to hit 5 for 8, with 2 home runs, and 5 RBI's.

Neifi Perez also added a home run blast, and B.J. Surhoff had the game winning RBI.



Game 3 -- Mariners 6, Twins 4:

When you pitch 6 innings, giving up 1 run on 6 hits, while striking out 6, with only 1 walk, you expect to have a shot at winning.

Unless you're facing Jeff Piniero.

Starter Juan Escobar and the Twins ran into the Piniero buzzsaw, and were shut out for 8 innings.

In the ninth, however, the Twins scored the tying run, thanks to an RBI single from Ichiro off closer Armando Benitez. 

Unfortunately for the Twins, their bullpen ran out of gas in the 10th.

Dan Plesac, who was in his 2nd inning of work, promptly gave up 4 runs. He would eventually take the loss.

Despite being down 6-1 in the bottom of the 10th, the Twins did not give up. They scored 3 runs, thanks to some timely hitting from Ichiro, Martinez, Surhoff, and Lofton -- but it was not enough. Benitez finally finished the game, and got the victory.



Game 4 -- Twins 5, Mariners 2:

All year, Kevin Appier has been somewhat of a disappointment. He lost his role as Ace to Josh Beckett, as well as the number two spot to Juan Escobar. One had to wonder if he could pull through tonight with a strong performance -- especially with a tired bullpen.

Appier answered the call, throwing 6 strong innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, while striking out 7.

"We always knew Kevin could pitch under pressure," said C6EO, "and I'm glad he proved it tonight."

The Twins offense was also productive, getting 4 runs and 10 hits off loser Derrick Lowe. Leading the charge was Ichiro, who scored 2 runs, and Series MVP Tino Martinez, who went 3 for 4, with 2 RBI's.

"Our offense was really firing at all cylinders this series," said Tino, after the victory.

Plesac and Moreno, who blew the game the night before, combined for two shut out innings. Moreno got the win, and Troy Percivel finished up for his 2nd save of the series.



In other playoff news:

Barry Bonds hit only .167, and his Chicago White Sox fell to the Baltimore Orioles in 4 games. This was a huge upset -- the White Sox were the number 1 ranked team in the AL. After hitting a home run in the first game, Bonds went 0 for 8 in the final 3 games.

"They pitched around me like crazy!" stated a frustrated Bonds after the final defeat. "I did score 3 times, and I had a Sac Fly -- doesn't that count for something?"

Something, but not enough.


In the NL, the Los Angeles Dodgers, with only 85 wins in the regular season, beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3 games to 1. The Cardinals had the league-leading 107 wins during the regular season, but that didn't help against the Dodgers.


In another upset, the Phillies beat the Astros 3 games to 1.

The underdog team won each of the 4 first round series -- baseball continues to prove unpredictable during the postseason.
However, the bullpen came through, with Zambrano, Nelson, Baez, and Percivel combining for 7 2/3 innings of 3 hit, 1 run baseball.