1991 World Series - Knowledge

3237:

Center fielder Gant backed up the play and caught the hop, but Gladden dashed to second and beat Gant's throw to the bag. Kelly then called for a sacrifice bunt, and Knoblauch executed to put the winning run on third with one out. As he'd done in the eighth, Cox called for an intentional walk to the resurgent Puckett. Hrbek, who had not gotten a hit in his last 16 at-bats dating back to his single in the eighth inning of Game 3, was next up. Despite Hrbek's .115 Series average (3 hits in the Series, two of which were in Game 1) and lack of speed, and even though the Braves had left-hander

3753:. The Braves and Twins split the series 1–1. Then, as part of the new season-long interleague schedule, the Twins played their first regular-season series against the Braves at Turner Field in May 2013; the Braves swept the three-game set. In 2016, the teams met twice. A two-game series at Target Field was swept by the visiting Braves in July, while the Twins won two games at Turner Field in August. In their most recent series in 2019, the Braves won two out of three games in Minnesota. Starting in 2023, both teams would play a single three-game series annually, with the Twins visiting 5189: 1452:. The game stayed tied into the eighth. In the top half, Belliard got a leadoff hit on a bunt single, and after a sacrifice, Pendleton beat out an infield hit. But Tapani got Gant out on a foul popup and Justice on a fly out to end the threat. Kelly remembered seeing a tape of the game that showed Glavine in disbelief that Atlanta was unable to score, and felt that Glavine's emotions took over. Immediately in the bottom half, the unheralded Leius drilled Glavine's first pitch into the left-field seats for what proved to be the game-winning home run. 2218:

Lemke, he did not do so with his catcher’s mitt—the contact was up his arm near the elbow and thus, Tata ruled that he had missed the tag. It was not uncommon at the time for umpires to call a runner out when the ball beat them to the plate, regardless of the time or location of the tag, but Tata held to the letter of the law. McCarver later narrated the play as "An arm's length; an elbows width: the subtle difference between out...and safe." The win tied the Series at two games apiece and ensured a return to Minnesota.

1899:

runners in scoring position during the season), pitched him very carefully after the stolen base and walked him. Lemke (who had nearly caused a major Twins rally with his fielding error in the top of the inning) now entered the pantheon of World Series heroes by hitting a single to left that enabled Justice to just beat the throw home from Gladden. His score gave the Braves a 5–4 win and cut the Twins' lead in the Series to two games to one. Clancy took the win while Aguilera received the loss.

3265:

Gladden with the series-winning run and giving the Twins their second world championship since moving to Minnesota. Morris was the first player to embrace Gladden at the plate, followed by others. At the same time, Larkin was mobbed at first base. The two jubilant groups eventually merged in the middle of the diamond. The victorious players were soon joined by their families on the field, including Morris's two sons. Later, the Twins players did a victory lap around the perimeter of the

34: 10130: 6125: 2525:, but the game ended in a 14–5 Braves rout, the Series' only lopsided game. The Braves scored just under half their total runs for the series in these eight innings. They now had their first lead in Series games, three to two. The marquee wall at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium read "Three at home and one at the Dome." The Washington/Minnesota franchise had now lost 14 straight World Series road games dating to 2832:. The ground ball retired Pendleton, but the speedy Gant beat the relay to first and Lemke scored the tying run, charged to Erickson. Willis got out of the jam by striking out Justice to end the inning with the score tied at three. Willis was charged with a blown save, but he pitched two more scoreless innings, the eighth and ninth. Atlanta kept the Twins off the scoreboard, with left-handed specialist 3701:, Kelly's last season as manager. Over the next several seasons, the players that made up the core of the 1987 and 1991 Twins slowly began to leave. Gladden, the left fielder, departed in the offseason for Detroit. Morris, the pitching hero of the series, signed with Toronto and returned to the World Series the next year. Gagne and Davis departed after the 1992 season and Harper at the end of the 3233:, Smith, and Pendleton in order. Morris threw 126 pitches in the game. Smoltz later said that if he had had the experience Morris had at the time, he might also have tried to argue his way out of being removed from the game when he got in trouble in the 8th, but as a young and fairly inexperienced pitcher, he didn't feel he had the standing to argue with Cox the way Morris did with Kelly. 2118:, a former Detroit prospect and Michigan native who idolized Morris as a youngster when he was pitching for the Tigers. Morris was looking to record his second victory of the series while Smoltz was making his first start. Smoltz had won both of his starts against the Pirates in the NLCS, including in the seventh and deciding game in Pittsburgh where he pitched a complete game shutout. 2507:). Brian Hunter singled to score Gant and put two on with nobody out and an 8–3 Braves lead. After Olson popped out, Lemke hit his third triple in his last four at bats, driving home Justice and Hunter, and scoring when Belliard singled to center. The Braves ended the seventh with an 11–3 lead and the announcers began talking about the teams' chances in Game 6. 3194:

though normally a power threat, had not had a hit since Game 3, and whom Stanton had struck out three times in a row (a reason the Braves used Stanton, a left-handed specialist). This time, Stanton got Hrbek to hit a relatively soft line drive to Lemke, who then stepped on second to double-up Knoblauch. The game continued with no score.

516:, the Atlanta Braves had a string of seven consecutive losing seasons and finished last in the National League West three times in a row from 1988 to 1990. However, in 1991, after having a 39–40 record at the All-Star break, the Braves surged in the second half to win the division title on the penultimate day of the season. Aided by 1400:. Tapani had the lowest ERA of the Twins' rotation, 2.99, while Glavine led the Braves in wins with 20. In their respective League Championship Series, Tapani had not pitched particularly well having lost Game 2 and giving up five early runs in Game 5. Glavine lost his NLCS starts in Games 1 and 5, giving up a total of six runs. 2852:

the first pitch. After uncharacteristically taking a strike and two balls from Leibrandt, Puckett launched the next pitch into the left-center-field seats for a dramatic game-winning home run that tied the Series at three games apiece. Buck famously called the home run with the line "And we'll see you tomorrow night!"

2149:

was waved around third anyway, with the relay reaching Harper on the bounce just before Smith got to the plate. Smith’s only recourse was to try to dislodge the ball from Harper, doing so by throwing himself at Harper and bowling him over. Despite the violent collision, Harper held onto the ball and Smith was out.

1027:. In his first season with his hometown team, the future Hall of Famer won 18 games, recorded a 3.43 ERA (16th best in the American League), and pitched ten complete games. He was also one of the few starting pitchers in the series on either side with prior experience; seven years earlier, as the ace of the 4063:

No. 10: 1991 World Series, Game 6: This is the game where Jack Buck exclaimed "And we'll see you tomorrow night!" In addition to Puckett's extra-inning heroics, the Twins' bullpen held the Braves scoreless for the last four innings of the game, allowing just three singles, two of which were erased by

2873:

Aguilera took the decision for the Twins after pitching the 10th and 11th innings, while Leibrandt earned his second loss of the series. He took it hard. Normally known as one of the friendliest and most cordial Braves, a despondent Leibrandt refused to answer questions from reporters after the game.

1890:

in 1989. On the third pitch of the at-bat he flied out to deep center field, leaving the bases loaded and the game deadlocked. Kelly said in an interview that if the game had gone on beyond two more innings—Aguilera’s usual limit—since he had used up all his relief pitchers and needed to avoid tiring

1885:

to pitch to Puckett and, just as McCarver had thought, put him on intentionally to load the bases. With his hand forced, Kelly summoned Aguilera from the bullpen to pinch hit. Aguilera had some previous success as a hitter, and had in fact come up as an infielder, but he had not had any at bats since

4005:

It was his play in Game 6 of the '91 Series against Atlanta that cemented his legacy in Twin Cities sports history. After robbing the Braves' Ron Gant of a home run in the field, Puckett hit an 11th-inning homer off Charlie Leibrandt to force a seventh game that the Twins eventually won in what some

3205:

came in to run for Davis, Harper attempted to move him over with a bunt down the first base line. Stanton misstepped coming to play the bunt, allowing Harper to reach base without a play. To make matters worse for Atlanta, Stanton's misstep caused him to strain a muscle in his back, and he had to be

3174:

threw home to retire Smith, whose gaffe set the series in motion. Harper then fired back to Hrbek to retire Bream, who had been playing with chronic knee injuries (five previous surgeries and playing with a large brace on one knee still) and as a result was regarded as one of the slowest baserunners

3133:

recorded a single. Belliard followed by laying down a sacrifice bunt to advance him, and Smith beat out a drag bunt attempt to put runners on the corners with only one out. Morris, as he had before, managed to get out of trouble by getting Pendleton to pop up for the second out and striking Gant out

2461:

and Gant singled, with Pendleton moving to third. Then Justice hit into a fielder's choice that scored Pendleton and gave the Braves a 5–0 lead. With Glavine working on a two-hitter, the game seemed in hand for the Braves. But Glavine's control deserted him in the sixth inning and he was pulled from

2163:

In the top of the seventh, Pagliarulo homered to give the Twins the lead, 2–1. With a lead and a bullpen that had allowed only one earned run in the entire post-season, the Twins opted to go for more runs by pinch hitting for Morris and removing him after six innings. He had been effective, allowing

2148:

As Puckett reached up to try and catch the ball, it nicked the top of his glove and dropped behind him. Since Smith had gone to tag up instead of staying where he had been, he now had to start running from a dead stop and was unable to gain much momentum as the relay throw reached the infield. Smith

1898:

popped out, Justice stole second on an 0–2 pitch to Olson. With two outs and first base open and the normally light-hitting Lemke on deck, Aguilera, wary of Olson's stealth status as one of the Braves' best clutch hitters (despite an overall average of only .241, he had batted .373 with two outs and

1850:

on a fly out, Gladden reached on a single. Knoblauch followed with a ground ball to second that would likely have resulted in a double play, but Lemke misplayed it and it rolled between his legs. Gladden was able to advance to third on the error, and with the go-ahead run in scoring position, Braves

1444:

said that Gant would not have had a problem if he had slid into the bag. This call was ranked as one of the top ten worst baseball calls by both ESPN and Sports Illustrated. Hrbek became a hated figure in Atlanta, was lustily booed, and even received a death threat. In 2011, the Twins celebrated the

3924:

for the remainder of the decade, they did not reach the World Series again until 2004, two years after his death from lung cancer. His broadcast partner McCarver would be in the booth for each of the four subsequent World Series; he would work the 1992 and 1993 series for CBS, rejoin ABC as part of

3657:

consoled Atlanta fans by stating that this was an excellent team and that he expected they would "be around" for some time to come. In fact, the Braves won an unprecedented 14 consecutive division titles (three as members of the NL West, and the last 11 in the East), not counting the strike-aborted

3149:

was aggressive, calling for a hit and run. Pendleton executed his part with a deep fly to center field. Smith rounded second, but then momentarily stopped running. Knoblauch and his fellow middle infielder Greg Gagne had set up a decoy system designed to confuse the baserunner, feigning as if they

2812:

to reach first. This became important when Pendleton golfed Erickson's next pitch into the seats, his second World Series home run, to tie the game at two. With two outs, Justice lifted what appeared to be a go-ahead home run for the Braves to right, but at the last instant, the ball hooked foul by

2426:

in a Game 2 rematch. Unlike the previous game, neither pitcher had his best stuff this time around, with Tapani falling apart in the 4th and Glavine in the 6th. Whereas in their first matchup the game was relatively close, Game 5 would be the biggest offensive outburst of the series for either

1439:

agreed, that Hrbek had pulled Gant off of the base. Hrbek claimed after the game that Gant had pushed him, and Gant later said that Hrbek had grabbed his leg and fell backward, taking him with him. Coble would later explain his reasoning behind the call for MLB's official video recap of the series.

1434:

The play was not over, however, as Gant was hung up between first and second as he tried to advance on the errant throw. Tapani, backing up the play, fielded the ball and threw back toward first. Gant tried to get back standing up, but Hrbek fielded the ball just before he got to the base and moved

3867:

to the Twins at the conclusion of the series. This was Buck's ninth consecutive World Series as the lead announcer, as he had been the lead radio voice of the Fall Classic from 1983 until 1989. McCarver was working his fifth World Series as an analyst, having worked the 1985, 1987, and 1989 series

3744:

since the 1991 World Series. In 2002, the Braves finally experienced a Metrodome win by taking two games from the Twins in a three-game series; the Twins swept a three-game series from the Braves at the Metrodome in 2007. The Braves ultimately finished with an all-time record of 2–8 in the stadium

3248:

This left Kelly with a tough decision. Brown, who pinch ran for designated hitter Davis, was due up and he had not recorded a hit in the series. Entering the 10th inning, Kelly had already used four of the seven players on his bench (Bush, Newman, Brown, and Sorrento). Then in the top half of the

2851:

to the mound to face Puckett, who recalled telling Davis that he planned to bunt for a base hit, to which Davis responded, "Bunt my ass. Hit it out and let's go home!" Puckett replied that he would take a few pitches first—a rare move for him, as he was known as a free swinger who often went after

2498:

hit his third home run in three nights to give the Braves a 6–3 lead. And then the floodgates opened. Pendleton and Gant walked, Justice singled to score Pendleton, and West was again taken out without retiring a batter; in this game, he was charged with four earned runs without retiring a batter,

2217:

Tim McCarver explained on the CBS broadcast the specific reason Lemke was called safe. Since the play at the plate was not a force play, Harper needed to tag Lemke with the ball, whether it was in his hand or in his glove. While Harper did have the ball in his possession and had made contact with

4094:

No. 6: 1991 World Series, Game 7: The Senators franchise moved to Minnesota in 1961; 30 years later, the team played two of the most excruciatingly exciting World Series games on consecutive nights. It's the only Series I'm honoring here with a pair of games. This one featured a 10-inning shutout

3264:

Since he would not have needed to play him in the field, as he would have filled the designated hitter role if the game advanced beyond the tenth, Kelly decided to send Larkin to the plate. On the first pitch he saw, Larkin drove a single into deep left-center over the drawn-in outfield, scoring

3193:

entered and was ordered to intentionally walk Puckett to load the bases—an unusual decision as managers usually only issue intentional walks when first base is open, not in circumstances where the walk will advance a runner into scoring position. But in this case, the next batter was Hrbek, who,

3236:

Peña faced Gladden to start the bottom half of the inning, and the Twins' leadoff hitter lifted a fly ball to left field after breaking his bat upon the impact. The ball landed in front of the charging Hunter for a bloop hit, and the ball then took a high bounce that Hunter was unable to field.

1826:

The game remained tied into extra innings, and a series of substitutions and double switches turned the game on its ear. Kelly exhausted the remaining players on his bench by the eleventh inning, and entering the twelfth he was down to only three remaining players, all pitchers. Of those three,

418:

selected this championship as the "Greatest of All Time" in their "World Series 100th Anniversary" countdown, with five of its games decided by a single run, four decided in the final at-bat and three going into extra innings. In addition to the suspense of the outcome of many of its games, the

3161:

emerged from the dugout to talk to his ace. Morris was not pleased to see his manager, as he thought that he was coming to the mound to remove him from the game. Instead, he was there to discuss strategy. Justice was a significant enough power threat that Kelly thought of intentionally walking

1891:

Aguilera out or throwing his rotation into disarray by using one of his starters in relief, his next step would likely have been to put left fielder Gladden (who had previously made emergency pitching appearances on at least two occasions) on the mound and Aguilera in the outfield.

1440:

He said that when Gant had come back toward first, he had come in off-balance and was falling over as Hrbek applied the tag; Coble said that based on that, he determined that Gant's own momentum had caused him to leave the base and called him out after Hrbek kept the tag on him.

3085:

just before stepping up to the plate. This was seen as a gesture of the respect the teams had for each other, though Morris later admitted that in the competitive heat of the moment he had not been happy with his catcher about it, even though Smith extended his hand initially.

3721:

to the Yankees, with whom he won three additional World Series titles. After being traded to the playoff-bound Red Sox in 1995, Aguilera returned to the Twins in 1996, used by Kelly as a starter. Aguilera returned to the pen in 1997, and stayed until midway through the

2144:

went back to field it, Smith watched from approximately halfway down the baseline to see where the ball was going to land. Puckett got under the ball and Smith went back to tag up, since the fly ball was deep enough for him to advance to third if Puckett caught it.

2819:

responded with a walk and a steal of second. He moved to third on Knoblauch's lineout to right and scored on Puckett's center field sacrifice fly. The Twins led 3–2. Avery was relieved after the inning. The Twins kept their one-run lead into the seventh.

2828:. After a strikeout, Smith walked and Pendleton reached on an infield single. The Braves now had the bases loaded and one out as CBS commentator Jack Buck said the Series was now on the line. Gant hit what seemed to be a sure double play ground ball off 1407:

miscommunicated and collided, and the ball fell from Lemke's glove. Gladden reached second on a two-base error. After walking Knoblauch, Glavine induced Puckett to ground to third, where Pendleton stepped on the bag to retire Gladden and threw across to

407:(94–68). The Twins defeated the Braves four games to three to win the championship, their second in Minnesota and third overall. The series was also unique because of the standings of the two participating teams in the previous season: both finished the 2493:

out to begin the bottom of the seventh. West had failed to retire a batter in Game 3, facing two batters and giving up two walks (while one of these walks did force a run home, this run was an unearned run charged to starter Scott Erickson).

4032:

The 1991 World Series is easily the best World Series ever played, with three games being won in the final at-bat and four coming down to the final pitch. Kirby Puckett's heroics in Game 6 allowed the Twins to stay alive and eventually win Game

3137:

The Braves started their half of the eighth with a Smith single. Pendleton stood in next and on a 1-2 pitch, he swung and, according to Morris, missed the next pitch. Pendleton appealed, maintaining he had foul tipped the ball; umpire

1435:

to tag Gant out. Somehow, Hrbek's arm and Gant's leg got tangled and the two players stumbled backward. First base umpire Drew Coble called Gant out on the play, a furious Gant and first base coach Pat Corrales argued, and CBS analyst

3169:

Morris agreed with Kelly, and Justice was walked to load the bases for Bream. This proved to be the last in the series of events that ended up costing the Braves, as Morris induced a ground ball up the first base line. First baseman

3076:

made his second for the Braves. Going into the game, this Series had been regarded as one of the greatest ever. Game 7 reinforced that point. A symbolic moment for this Series occurred on the first at-bat when Braves leadoff hitter

2803:

In the fourth, the Twins appeared ready to increase their lead, putting runners at second and third with one out. But Avery buckled down and retired the side to keep the game close. Another critical play occurred in the fifth when

419:

Series had other highlights. For example, the series-deciding seventh game was a scoreless tie (0–0) through the regular nine innings, and went into extra innings; Minnesota won 1–0 in the 10th inning, with their starting pitcher,

3150:

were going for a double play. Smith, meanwhile, maintained that he did not fall for the decoy but instead lost sight of the ball. Regardless of what really happened, Smith could have easily scored had he simply kept running.

3186:

to pinch-run. Smoltz then retired Gladden but gave up a single to Knoblauch, his eighth hit of the Series. With one out, runners on the corners, and Puckett coming to the plate, Cox elected to remove Smoltz from the game.

3257:—a weak hitter whom he would need if the game continued and something happened to Harper and who he would often use as a late-game defensive replacement as he was a better defensive catcher than Harper—and utility man 1113:

hit a three-run shot. Leibrandt was pulled from the game after the home run, and reliever Jim Clancy promptly allowed Gladden and Knoblauch to reach base on an error and a walk. Gladden reached third on a fly ball by

1906:, which ran five hours, 41 minutes. It was the first of four games in this Series to end with the winning team scoring the deciding run in the ninth inning or later. It was also the first World Series game played in 2514:'s triple. In the bottom of the eighth, Pendleton doubled and Gant tripled, scoring Pendleton. Justice grounded out to the pitcher, scoring Gant, and Hunter then ended the Braves' offensive barrage with a home run. 3101:

up with a chance to drive in a run. Smoltz got him to ground out, however, and nothing came of the opportunity. The Braves were then able to get two baserunners of their own in their next at bat, as a single by

3761: 1431:. With two outs, Gant ripped a single to left. Smith, playing for a record fourth team in World Series play, tried to beat the throw to third from Gladden, which was wild and missed third baseman Leius. 556:

The 1991 World Series was notable for several grueling contests, with five of its games decided by one run (three of which in extra innings; including the third game, a 12-inning marathon that saw Twins

1807:(Harper never started games that season when Erickson pitched, as he preferred to pitch to Ortiz). After he reached on an error Avery went to the showers in favor of the Braves' regular-season closer, 2164:

only the one run, but had a high pitch count. The move backfired as Braves got the run back in the bottom of the inning when Smith made up for his baserunning gaffe and homered off Twins reliever

3229:. Confronted with Morris's insistence on pitching the 10th, Kelly is purported to have said, "Oh hell. It's only a game." And as he had been for most of the night, Morris was effective, retiring 12767: 12762: 1175:. Leibrandt's poor performance resulted in his being removed from the rotation, although he did pitch in Game 6, facing just one batter and giving up the game-winning home run to Puckett. 2882:

for the eventual game- and series-winning runs, but was significantly more philosophical about that misfortune, saying, "I was devastated last year. I'm down right now, but I'll get over it."

1791:

After the run that resulted from the first-inning misplay between Gant and Justice, Avery had been perfect for five innings, recording 15 consecutive outs. But then he seemed to tire a bit.

3245:, Cox decided to call a second consecutive intentional walk, loading the bases to set up a force play at home plate and the possibility of a double play, which would have ended the inning. 3197:

The Braves went down in order in the top of the ninth, as Morris retired Brian Hunter, Greg Olson, and Lemke. The Twins, with a chance to win the game in their final at-bat, led off with a

4095:

thrown by Minnesota's Jack Morris while the Twins were leaving 12 men on base, finally scoring the game-winner on Gene Larkin's bases-loaded single with one out in the bottom of the 10th.

2210:

in right field. Lemke tagged and broke for the plate as soon as Mack caught the ball. Mack’s throw beat Lemke to the plate, but he slid around Harper’s tag attempt and home plate umpire

1705:

In what is considered one of the greatest World Series games ever played, the Braves outlasted the Twins in a thrilling 12-inning battle in the first World Series game played in the

8306: 1101:

later said that he wanted Knoblauch to take the turn around first to draw the throw away from the plate and allow the run to score. The Twins added three more runs in the fifth, as

10867: 2446:

then hit what appeared to be a double play grounder to second. But the ball hit Bream's leg, resulting in Bream being called out for runner interference and Olson safe at first.

3316:

in 10 innings.) This game set a World Series record for the longest scoreless tie in Game 7. Only one other World Series game went longer without a run, Game 6 of the

2800:

barrier over the left field wall. Pendleton, who had reached second and was trying to advance to third, was forced to turn around and barely beat Puckett’s throw back to first.

1768:'s single. Justice led off the fourth with his first World Series home run, and the Braves led for the first time in the Series, 2–1. In the fifth, the Braves scored again when 2510:

But there were still two innings left. Davis, playing this game in right field in place of Mack, who was 0–for–15, singled. He moved to second on a ground out and scored on

11485: 2766:

strode to the plate looking to break out of the slump he had been in for most of the series. He tripled to left field, scoring Knoblauch, his first big play of the game.

11636: 10861: 6055: 3944:

of 24.0 and a 39 share for CBS; Game 7 drew a 32.2 rating and 49 share. As of 2021, no subsequent World Series has approached either number in national TV ratings.

6050: 12835: 2160:

stood in. Morris threw a pitch that got past Harper, but he was able to recover and tag Pendleton out as he tried to score. The game remained tied through the sixth.

13199: 3339:

won Game 7 with a walk-off bloop hit. Game 7 of this series was the last World Series game played at the Metrodome before the Twins moved out at the end of the

13512: 11620: 11610: 11605: 10850: 10845: 10840: 10651: 3937:. After that, McCarver would go on to call every World Series that was covered by Fox until he retired from full-time broadcasting at the end of the 2013 season. 12772: 4077: 4046: 10432: 8236: 4948: 4498: 3749:, where the Braves won two out of three games. After the 1991 Series, the Twins did not play in Atlanta again until 2011 for two preseason exhibition games at 7947: 6284: 4936: 1445:

20th anniversary of the controversial play by commissioning a bobblehead doll of Hrbek and Gant entangled, a promotion that proved popular with Twins fans.

11625: 11615: 8301: 1894:

In the bottom of the 12th, Aguilera remained in the game to pitch and quickly got the first out on one pitch. But then Justice singled to right and after

1145:

then followed with a single that Gladden misplayed, which scored Treadway and left runners at second and third. Morris got out of the jam by striking out

3817: 4994: 11020: 10170: 8617: 8471: 3884: 430:

With 69 innings in total, the 1991 World Series shares the record for longest seven-game World Series in terms of innings that had been set with the

13266: 13163: 11478: 10597: 10592: 10587: 10582: 8572: 6254: 3221:

Refusing to come out of the game, Morris pitched the top of the tenth. A Twin Cities sportswriter wrote that on that night, " could have outlasted

3210:

to pitch to Shane Mack. Despite his earlier struggles, Peña induced a ground ball double play from Mack to record the first two outs. He then gave

2747:, where they had a 9–1 postseason record (including 6–0 in the World Series). After the reshuffling of the Braves' rotation following Game 1, 2486:

came on to get out of the jam and got the last two outs with one additional run scoring. The game entered the seventh with the Braves leading 5–3.

517: 11283: 13492: 8268: 6869: 6279: 6060: 4928: 4121: 1735:

innings of work, winning Game 2 and Game 6 and garnering series MVP honors. Erickson made one start in the ALCS, taking a no decision in Game 3.

1168:

from third base, and the run was charged to Morris. It was the last run scored, as the Twins won 5–2 with Aguilera picking up the four-out save.

4923: 13327: 9027: 8313: 7785: 6045: 1126:

then lifted a fly ball to left field that was caught for the second out. Gladden tagged again and tried to score, running over Atlanta catcher

4638: 3276:, a seventh game of the World Series ended 1–0. It was also the first World Series-deciding game to go into extra innings since Game 4 of the 1130:

in the process, but Olson held onto the ball for the third out even though Gladden flipped him so hard that he momentarily stood on his head.

13522: 12874: 12777: 11981: 11263: 8263: 6462: 6421: 6416: 6269: 1455:

Both starting pitchers stayed in the game through eight innings and were quite effective, giving up just five runs combined (three earned).

8441: 8288: 3833: 3175:

in the league. The rare 3-2-3 double play ended the inning, and the Braves did not have a runner reach base for the remainder of the game.

2796:

drove a pitch deep to left field. Puckett, giving chase, tracked the ball down and then leaped to snare it before it could hit the 13-foot

3134:

to end the inning. Neither team would mount a threat again for several innings, with Gladden and Puckett the only players to reach base.

11971: 11471: 6452: 5990: 3837: 3776:

in five games, the closest a Minnesota-based team has come to reaching the final round of its sport since the 1991 World Series were the

1780:

entered the game and walked two consecutive batters, forcing home an unearned run (charged to Erickson) and leaving the bases loaded for

1448:

The Braves tied the game in the fifth when Olson doubled, advanced to third on a groundout by Lemke, and came home on a sacrifice fly by

4907: 13477: 13054: 11986: 11947: 11919: 11914: 11909: 11288: 10425: 8602: 3323:

The 1991 World Series was the second in five seasons where the home team won all seven games. The previous time was in 1987, which the

4449: 3142:

ruled that had been the case and the at bat continued. What followed turned out to be the turning point for the Braves in the series.

13517: 13080: 13076: 12714: 11966: 6161: 3825: 1881:

On the fourth pitch of the at bat, with Knoblauch running to avoid a potential double play, Hrbek struck out looking. Cox brought in

162: 11597: 6467: 1795:

homered in the seventh to make it 4–2, one inning after two Twins hits and two other fly outs to the warning track. Atlanta manager

1012:, who had been forced into early retirement when he was seriously injured by gunshot while coming to the aid of a robbery victim in 13312: 12681: 12481: 12476: 12471: 12466: 12461: 12456: 12451: 12446: 12441: 12436: 12431: 12426: 12421: 12416: 12411: 12406: 12401: 12396: 12391: 12386: 12381: 12376: 12371: 12366: 12361: 12356: 12351: 12346: 12341: 12336: 12331: 12253: 12248: 12243: 12238: 12233: 12228: 12223: 12218: 12213: 12208: 12203: 12198: 12193: 12188: 12183: 12178: 12173: 12168: 12163: 12158: 12153: 12137: 12132: 12127: 12122: 12117: 12112: 12107: 12102: 12097: 12092: 12087: 12082: 12077: 12072: 12067: 12062: 12057: 12052: 12047: 12042: 12037: 12016: 12006: 11231: 11226: 11221: 11216: 11211: 11195: 11190: 11185: 11180: 11164: 11159: 11154: 11149: 10712: 10394: 8809: 8804: 8799: 8794: 8789: 8784: 8153: 8117: 6757: 6752: 5978: 5032: 5027: 3769: 3705:. Hrbek's production began falling due to injuries that kept him off the field for much of the next two seasons, and he retired in 3348: 1079: 1036: 541: 501: 485: 401: 390: 318: 301: 12922: 12910: 11247: 10792: 8582: 8000: 6020: 1058:

champion squad. Thus he was also the only Braves starter who had previously faced several members of the Twins lineup, including

424: 118: 1403:

Leading off the bottom of the first, Gladden lifted a seemingly routine pop-up toward second base. Atlanta fielders Justice and

1097:

then singled to drive him in, but was caught in a rundown in between first and second and tagged out to end the inning. Manager

13216: 12753: 11535: 11342: 10772: 10744: 10664: 10458: 6025: 5113: 4987: 4791: 3044: 2700: 2371: 2063: 1654: 1335: 955: 3253:, normally a third baseman, into the game at shortstop in place of pinch hitter Sorrento. This left Kelly with backup catcher 3054: 2710: 2381: 2073: 1664: 1345: 965: 10724: 10418: 10163: 8506: 8501: 6444: 5004: 4771: 4738: 4669: 4618: 4534: 4411: 4355: 4330: 3912:

This was the last World Series Jack Buck would call in his lifetime. After the World Series, CBS elected to replace him with

1415:

The Braves got a run back in the top of the second when Justice singled, was doubled to third by Bream, and then scored on a

1412:

to retire Puckett for the double play. But the next batter, Davis, homered off Glavine and gave the Twins an early 2–0 lead.

458: 3813: 2474:

loaded the bases, and Glavine suddenly had difficulty finding the strike zone. He gave up two runs on bases-loaded walks to

13497: 13406: 13401: 12934: 12315: 12310: 12305: 12300: 12284: 12279: 12274: 12269: 11077: 9012: 8966: 8961: 8956: 8951: 8946: 8941: 8936: 8931: 8926: 8921: 8916: 8911: 8906: 8901: 8896: 8891: 8886: 8881: 6879: 6274: 6244: 3241:, who had struck Hrbek out in a similar situation earlier in the series, warming up in the bullpen along with right-hander 1757:

both went to catch it, but neither called for the ball and it dropped between them. Gladden reached third standing up, and

445:

To date, this is Minnesota’s last World Series win and appearance, and this remains the last appearance by a team from the

4107: 3851:

covered the World Series on television for the second consecutive year. The network's primary baseball commentary team of

3697:, who won the division for the fourth time in five seasons. The Twins' 90–72 record was their last winning campaign until 13482: 13387: 13322: 13086: 10692: 10680: 10577: 9017: 8607: 8318: 8273: 6859: 6232: 6080: 6075: 4693: 3225:." He successfully rebuffed several attempts by Kelly to remove him during the game, and was supported by pitching coach 1788:

to end the inning. With the score 4–1, the Braves looked to close it out. As it turned out, the game was just beginning.

472:

championship, the Minnesota Twins went 74–88 in 1990 to finish last in the American League West for the first time since

435: 4019: 13487: 13332: 11577: 11495: 10780: 10776: 10482: 7778: 6249: 3890: 3829: 3693:

contended for the 1992 American League Western Division title for much of the season but finished six games behind the

3190: 2833: 2068: 1874:, if Knoblauch and Gladden were still on base, and force Kelly to decide to use Aguilera as a pinch hitter for pitcher 243: 4081: 4050: 2202:

to pitch. Cabrera, who had been announced as the next batter, was called back to the dugout and veteran minor leaguer

13069: 12800: 12787: 11845: 11630: 11560: 11556: 11544: 11540: 11528: 11524: 11520: 11516: 11311: 10855: 10632: 10609: 10555: 10551: 10523: 10519: 10515: 10511: 10499: 10495: 10491: 10487: 10475: 10471: 10467: 10463: 10316: 10179: 8587: 8436: 8390: 8278: 8177: 6843: 6838: 6833: 6828: 6823: 6818: 6813: 6808: 6803: 6793: 6788: 6783: 6778: 6185: 6065: 4980: 3809: 3726:, the last remaining player from the 1991 team. Traded to the Cubs, he finished his career with Chicago that season. 3659: 3627: 3106:, a passed ball, and a walk to Smith put runners on with only one out in the top of the third inning. Morris retired 1478: 669: 408: 378: 209: 110: 51: 4945: 13370: 12886: 10389: 10367: 10156: 9119: 9114: 9109: 9104: 9099: 8860: 8855: 8850: 8845: 6388: 6264: 3584: 3336: 1776:

and Justice to reach base, on a walk and an error by Knoblauch on a ground ball that should have ended the inning.

4933: 4372: 4122:"The inside story of how the Braves and Twins saved the best parts of the 1991 World Series for after it was over" 1870:

was the batter, and McCarver theorized that if Mercker retired Hrbek, Cox would elect to walk the on deck hitter,

13157: 13042: 12898: 10637: 10572: 10357: 10326: 8293: 7323: 7307: 7302: 7297: 7292: 7287: 7282: 7277: 7272: 7267: 7262: 7246: 7241: 7236: 7231: 7226: 7221: 7216: 7211: 7206: 7201: 7185: 7180: 7175: 7170: 7165: 7160: 7154: 7148: 7143: 7138: 7122: 7117: 7112: 7107: 7101: 7093: 7086: 7081: 7076: 7071: 7055: 7050: 7045: 7040: 7035: 7030: 7025: 7020: 7015: 7010: 6994: 6989: 6984: 6979: 6974: 6969: 6964: 6959: 6954: 6259: 6239: 6090: 6085: 6070: 4686:

Down to the last pitch: How the Minnesota Twins and the Atlanta Braves gave us the best World Series of All Time.

4588: 3953:

The Twins are gonna win the World Series! The Twins have won it! It's a base hit, it's a 1-0, ten inning victory!

3941: 3821: 3328: 3285: 2859:. The statue is of Puckett rounding second base, pumping his fists after hitting the dramatic walk-off home run. 1761:

subsequently flied out to allow him to score the first run of the game and end Avery's scoreless innings streak.

1149:

to end the inning, and the Twins added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning as Hrbek homered off Clancy.

1862:

While all of this was going on, Aguilera was warming up in the Twins’ bullpen. On the CBS television broadcast,

1050:, the only Brave pitcher with Series exposure. Before joining the Braves in 1990, Leibrandt was a member of the 13291: 13193: 13187: 10800: 10796: 10321: 10259: 9069: 8283: 6577: 6227: 6035: 6015: 5080: 3182:

pinch-hit for Gagne to lead off for the Twins, and singled off Smoltz, then was removed in favor of the faster

1083: 537: 327: 280: 4967: 3717:. Knoblauch was the last hitter of the 1991 team to remain in Minnesota, eventually forcing a trade after the 13507: 13422: 13317: 13286: 13169: 13020: 13014: 13008: 12707: 11954: 11924: 11292: 10760: 10756: 10752: 10748: 10668: 10617: 10269: 10254: 10249: 10233: 10223: 10213: 10203: 9323: 9318: 9313: 9308: 9303: 9298: 9293: 9277: 9271: 9264: 9258: 9253: 9248: 9242: 9235: 9228: 9222: 9206: 9201: 9196: 9191: 9186: 9181: 9175: 9064: 8827: 8759: 8754: 8749: 8744: 8739: 8734: 8538: 8246: 7771: 6924: 6154: 5056: 4307: 3801: 3797: 3793: 3694: 3671: 3667: 3313: 3301: 1040: 497: 493: 310: 2866:, which was also played at the Metrodome. With his walk-off home run, he completed the game a double shy of 13271: 13261: 13222: 13181: 12916: 11582: 11511: 11406: 11253: 10820: 10732: 10728: 10720: 10716: 10627: 10442: 10362: 10274: 10228: 9696: 9691: 9686: 9681: 9676: 9671: 9655: 9649: 9641: 9634: 9629: 9624: 9619: 8779: 8774: 8333: 8146: 6919: 6320: 4859: 4584: 3930: 3869: 3848: 3650: 3646:

joined the 1991 Twins as the only other team to win the World Series a year after finishing in last place.

3635: 3631: 3600: 3588: 2744: 2409: 2191: 1895: 1420: 806: 616: 545: 533: 219: 105: 4835: 4813: 3261:, who was playing with an injured knee but had gotten one hit in three previous series plate appearances. 1459:

earned the save for the Twins, and the Series headed to Atlanta with the Twins leading two games to none.

13248: 13175: 12820: 11976: 11753: 11267: 11257: 10530: 10347: 10264: 9359: 9169: 9164: 9159: 9143: 9137: 9130: 9124: 8729: 8724: 8108: 7748: 7743: 7737: 7731: 7726: 7720: 7702: 7696: 7690: 7684: 7679: 7674: 7669: 7664: 7659: 7653: 7635: 7629: 7624: 7618: 7612: 7606: 7599: 7592: 7586: 7581: 7565: 7560: 7555: 7550: 7545: 7540: 7535: 7530: 7523: 7516: 7500: 7495: 7488: 7481: 7476: 7471: 7466: 7461: 7456: 7451: 7435: 7430: 7425: 7420: 7415: 7410: 7405: 7400: 7395: 7389: 7371: 7365: 7360: 7355: 7349: 7343: 7338: 7333: 7328: 6483: 6110: 5970: 5051: 3765: 3723: 3718: 3710: 3706: 3702: 3698: 3690: 3440: 3366: 3344: 3340: 3324: 3297: 3289: 1811:. Peña had been 13 for 13 in save opportunities since joining the Braves in a late-season trade with the 1749:

led off the game by reaching on a fielding mistake. He lifted a fly ball toward right-center field where

1035:

and helped lead Detroit to its most recent world championship. He also had recorded two victories in the

569: 473: 393: 306: 58: 1152:

After walking the first two batters to lead off the eighth, Morris was pulled from the game in favor of

12990: 12946: 12940: 12856: 12002: 11940: 11778: 11758: 11748: 11277: 11273: 10995: 10700: 10696: 10352: 10342: 10306: 10218: 10208: 10111: 10105: 10098: 10090: 10082: 10064: 10057: 10051: 10046: 10041: 10036: 10030: 10023: 10017: 10011: 9994: 9989: 9984: 9979: 9973: 9966: 9959: 9952: 9945: 9938: 9920: 9913: 9906: 9899: 9891: 9884: 9878: 9871: 9864: 9858: 9842: 9837: 9832: 9827: 9822: 9817: 9812: 9806: 9800: 9795: 9779: 9774: 9769: 9764: 9759: 9754: 9749: 9744: 9739: 9734: 9717: 9711: 9706: 9701: 8996: 8991: 8986: 8981: 8976: 8597: 8525: 8486: 6207: 5106: 5075: 5066: 3906: 3773: 3745:

before it closed as a baseball venue in 2009. In 2010, the teams played a three-game series at the new

3643: 3642:

followed previous seasons' last-place finishes with a World Series appearance, but fell short. But the

3639: 3494: 3372: 3352: 2758:

In the top of the first, the Braves got two runners on, but stranded them. In the bottom of the first,

573: 513: 446: 404: 397: 323: 293: 74: 3218:

for the last out, marking the third time in the series that a game would be decided in extra innings.

2521:

gave up a run when Gladden tripled (the fifth triple of the game) and scored on a fielder's choice by

13451: 13281: 13256: 13237: 13060: 12928: 12825: 11728: 11703: 10688: 10684: 10546: 10539: 10535: 10506: 10311: 10279: 9614: 9609: 9604: 9588: 9582: 9576: 9571: 9566: 9561: 9556: 9551: 9546: 9505: 9500: 9495: 9490: 9485: 9480: 9464: 9459: 9454: 9449: 9444: 9439: 9434: 9429: 9424: 9419: 9403: 9398: 9393: 9388: 9383: 9376: 9369: 9364: 8769: 8764: 6911: 6457: 4707: 4596: 2824:

singled to center, knocking Erickson out of the game, and went to second on a wild pitch by reliever

411:

in last place; before 1991, no league champion had ever finished the previous season in last place.

13502: 13307: 12904: 12880: 12700: 10622: 10301: 9354: 9338: 9333: 9328: 8385: 6438: 6400: 6147: 4634: 3777: 3734: 3591:. Seven Twins players appeared in both the 1987 and 1991 Series, playing for the Twins both times: 3309: 13428: 13395: 13359: 13276: 11010: 10647: 10134: 9541: 9525: 9520: 9515: 9510: 8633: 8365: 8139: 6005: 3078: 2809: 2495: 2405: 2137: 2101: 1769: 1696: 1424: 1165: 1020:

returned the ball to Palermo and the series umpires jogged to the mound to exchange well wishes.

4135: 2450:, the hero of Games 3 and 4, drilled a triple that scored Olson, and then scored on a double by 1742:

said that managing without the designated-hitter rule was "right up there with rocket science".

13337: 12815: 11072: 11056: 8545: 8328: 6370: 3805: 3789: 2748: 1714: 1075: 7763: 4885: 4763: 4756: 3670:. The Braves made three more trips to the World Series before the decade ended, defeating the 2781:

followed with a single, advancing Mack to third, but Avery escaped further damage by retiring

1171:

Morris's win was his third World Series win in as many starts, as he won Games 1 and 4 of the

13472: 13411: 13002: 12952: 12810: 11809: 11551: 11051: 8567: 8519: 7972: 7895: 7831: 6128: 5099: 4917: 3785: 3242: 3094: 2867: 2774: 2504: 2490: 2443: 2207: 1902:

The game lasted a then record four hours, four minutes, broken in 2005 in Game 3 of the

1882: 1777: 1659: 1127: 1110: 995: 382: 374: 4427: 4285: 4263: 4241: 4219: 4197: 4175: 4153: 2855:

This moment is captured in a statue of Puckett just outside Gate 34 at the Twins' new home,

2529:, a streak that remains active as the Twins have not advanced to a World Series since 1991. 13128: 12892: 12830: 10812: 9058: 8038: 6903: 6602: 6407: 6315: 6300: 3926: 3158: 2195: 2140:

singled and stole second. Pendleton then followed with a deep fly ball to center field. As

1907: 1739: 1486: 1441: 1098: 1070:. In 1991, Leibrandt was 15–13 with a 3.49 ERA. His win total was third on the team behind 561: 449:

metropolitan area in a championship round of the four major North American sports leagues.

154: 64: 4962: 3709:. The Twins traded away both Erickson and Tapani (neither ever regained his 1991 form) in 2121:

As was the custom in the first three games, the Twins scored first. In the second inning,

8: 13433: 13048: 13037: 12996: 8512: 8466: 3921: 3864: 2427:

team. But despite the score, the game was kept close until after the 7th inning stretch.

4972: 4957: 4896: 4475: 2813:

about two feet. Erickson retired Justice and the Twins came to bat with the score tied.

2233:

Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia 71 °F (22 °C), partly cloudy

1925:

Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia 72 °F (22 °C), partly cloudy

13446: 13134: 12737: 12723: 9046: 8476: 8418: 8323: 6895: 6394: 4551: 4377: 2777:, who was hitless so far in the series. Mack hit a broken-bat single to score Puckett. 2751:

started for Atlanta on three days' rest. The Twins kept their three-man rotation, with

1831:

was the only one who was available to play; the other two were his other two starters,

1718: 1051: 558: 414:

A number of outlets regard the 1991 World Series as one of the greatest ever. In 2003,

150: 3999:

Murphy, Brian (April 2001). "Twins' 'Overachiever' Kirby Puckett Gets Call to Glory".

13122: 13118: 13114: 13110: 13106: 13092: 12805: 12677: 12664: 12659: 12654: 12648: 12642: 12637: 12627: 12622: 12617: 12612: 12607: 12602: 12597: 12592: 12587: 12582: 12577: 12572: 12567: 12562: 12557: 12552: 12547: 12542: 12537: 12532: 12527: 12522: 12517: 12512: 12507: 12502: 12497: 11463: 11133: 11128: 11118: 11113: 11108: 11103: 11097: 9040: 8706: 8701: 8696: 8691: 8370: 8360: 8085: 6747: 6742: 6737: 6710: 6705: 6381: 6040: 5974: 5966: 5942: 5937: 5932: 5927: 5922: 5902: 5897: 5892: 5887: 5882: 5877: 5872: 5867: 5862: 5857: 5837: 5832: 5827: 5822: 5817: 5812: 5807: 5802: 5797: 5792: 5772: 5767: 5762: 5757: 5752: 5746: 5740: 5735: 5725: 5705: 5700: 5695: 5690: 5685: 5680: 5675: 5670: 5665: 5660: 5640: 5635: 5630: 5625: 5620: 5615: 5610: 5605: 5600: 5595: 5575: 5570: 5565: 5560: 5555: 5550: 5545: 5540: 5535: 5530: 5510: 5505: 5500: 5495: 5490: 5485: 5480: 5475: 5470: 5465: 5445: 5440: 5435: 5430: 5425: 5420: 5415: 5410: 5405: 5400: 5380: 5375: 5370: 5365: 5360: 5355: 5350: 5345: 5340: 5335: 5315: 5310: 5305: 5300: 5295: 5290: 5285: 5280: 5275: 5270: 5250: 5245: 5240: 5235: 5230: 5225: 5220: 5215: 5210: 5205: 5170: 5165: 5160: 5155: 5150: 5144: 5138: 4874: 4767: 4734: 4689: 4665: 4614: 4580: 4530: 4407: 4351: 4326: 3980: 3781: 3683: 3679: 3675: 3663: 3580: 3332: 3317: 3305: 3293: 3281: 3277: 3273: 2875: 2863: 2848: 2808:

kept the Twins from completing a double play with a fierce slide. His hustle enabled

2715: 2526: 2500: 1903: 1473: 1172: 1055: 1047: 1032: 970: 801: 469: 439: 431: 352: 340: 138: 4787: 3207: 3059: 2897:

Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota 73 °F (23 °C), dome

2837: 2544:

Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota 73 °F (23 °C), dome

1808: 1197:

Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota 73 °F (23 °C), dome

12969: 12795: 11438: 11433: 11428: 11423: 11402: 11397: 11392: 11387: 11382: 11377: 11372: 11367: 11362: 11357: 11352: 11330: 11325: 11320: 8661: 8496: 8491: 8256: 6732: 6607: 6310: 6100: 6095: 3741: 3432: 2946: 2596: 2518: 2279: 1971: 1544: 1243: 863: 4136:"The World Series 100th Anniversary – #1 1991 Minnesota Twins 4, Atlanta Braves 3" 3320:, which went to two outs in the bottom of the 10th before the winning run scored. 2788:

In the top of the third, the Braves hit Erickson hard, but failed to score. After

2183:

was walked intentionally to set up a possible double play to force extra innings.

13353: 13140: 12974: 11819: 11794: 11733: 11653: 8612: 8423: 8077: 7980: 7863: 7847: 7794: 6887: 6637: 6587: 6353: 6170: 6030: 5042: 4952: 4940: 3620: 3211: 3119: 3107: 3103: 3098: 3089:

The Twins were the first team to get a runner in scoring position, as singles by

2805: 2789: 2759: 2728: 2463: 2458: 2454:

At this point, the Braves led 4–0, their biggest lead in any game in the Series.

2451: 2199: 2130: 2126: 2097: 2091: 1820: 1773: 1765: 1758: 1449: 1355: 1157: 1094: 975: 521: 489: 442:, which saw one game tied due to darkness, logged the most innings ever, at 75). 386: 276: 193: 3893:, as it had since 1976, provided nationwide radio coverage of the World Series. 3280:. This World Series was also the first to end with an extra-inning Game 7 since 1799:

reluctantly sent Avery out for the eighth inning. The first batter he faced was

1089:

Minnesota scored first in the bottom of the third. With two out, leadoff hitter

13364: 12862: 12840: 11960: 11743: 11718: 11693: 10979: 10954: 10949: 10944: 10918: 10898: 10410: 8667: 8650: 8592: 8446: 8162: 8061: 7887: 6687: 6669: 6521: 6342: 6305: 3917: 3913: 3887:

was the host for the pregame and postgame shows that followed each broadcast.

3427: 3422: 2941: 2936: 2752: 2591: 2586: 2274: 2269: 1966: 1961: 1710: 1539: 1534: 1389: 1238: 1233: 1028: 858: 853: 525: 477: 2755:, who had been batted around in Game 3, getting the start for Minnesota. 13466: 13376: 13231: 12012: 11773: 11698: 11673: 11046: 11025: 11000: 10974: 10928: 10923: 9052: 8673: 8654: 8251: 8093: 7964: 7943: 7879: 6622: 6567: 6562: 6547: 6526: 3876: 3592: 3215: 3154: 3123: 3114:

to end the threat. The Twins would get a runner to third the next inning, as

2879: 2773:

for the second out of the inning, Avery faced another slump-ridden batter in

2763: 2734: 2705: 2467: 2435: 2401: 2203: 2171:

The game entered the bottom of the ninth still tied at two. With one out and

2157: 2141: 1887: 1871: 1828: 1812: 1792: 1750: 1692: 1682: 1669: 1456: 1416: 1360: 1161: 1138: 1134: 1115: 1063: 1009: 980: 180: 134: 13098: 11864: 11829: 11814: 11799: 11723: 11041: 11015: 10964: 8395: 8380: 8017: 7956: 7855: 7823: 7815: 6675: 6516: 6511: 6506: 6433: 6347: 6326: 5122: 4731: