Madness in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins rushed from their dugout even before Carlos Gomez's head-first slide into home.
They knew.
The Metrodome erupted in a jetlike roar, as Gomez scored the winning run well ahead of a late throw from right field to finish off an AL Central race — and a thrilling tiebreaker — that didn't want to end.
Minnesota wouldn't quit, while the Detroit Tigers finished their historic fade. There was little time for the Twins to celebrate, because the New York Yankees were waiting, but the Twins sure made the most of their quick party.
Alexi Casilla singled home the winning run off Fernando Rodney with one out in the 12th inning and the Twins rallied for a 6-5 victory Tuesday night, completing a colossal collapse for the Tigers.
"This is the most unbelievable game I've ever played or seen," Twins shortstop Orlando Cabrera said.
How was that for bonus baseball?
"I'm ready, all the time," said Casilla, one of several bottom-of-the-roster players forced into duty in this all-or-nothing epic as both managers drained their benches and bullpens with move after move.
The Tigers became the first team in history to blow a three-game lead with four games left. They were in first place continuously since May 10.
"I guess it's fitting to say there was a loser in this game because we lost the game, but it's hard for me to believe there was a loser in this game," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "Both teams played their hearts out. You can't ask for anything more than that."
The Twins overcame a seven-game gap in the final month, went 17-4 to pull even on the final weekend and won their fifth division title in eight years.
"We just feel like we have nothing to lose, man," outfielder Denard Span said.
Both teams had chance after chance to end it earlier, and each club scored in the 10th. Casilla was thrown out at the plate to end that inning by left fielder Ryan Raburn after tagging up.
The Tigers thought they'd taken the lead in the 12th. But with the bases loaded, plate umpire Randy Marsh ruled that Brandon Inge was not hit by a pitch by Bobby Keppel. The replay appeared to show the pitch grazing Inge's billowing uniform.
"No matter what we did, it seems like it wasn't meant to be," Inge said. "This is the best game, by far, that I've ever played in no matter the outcome."
It was the first AL tiebreaker to go to extra innings, making up for Minnesota's disappointment last year when it lost 1-0 in Chicago to the White Sox in an AL Central tiebreaker. Had the Twins lost, it would've been the final baseball game at the Metrodome. Instead, the Twins get the Yankees today — New York was 7-0 against Minnesota this season.
"We're not afraid. I can guarantee you that," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.
The Twins were also happy to play this at home, thanks to an 11-7 record against the Tigers this year. Last year, they won the season series from the White Sox, but a coin flip gave Chicago the home game. This time, Major League Baseball changed the rules.
"I think we're very thankful that we were at home, and that it happened in front of our fans," said pitcher Scott Baker.
Joe Mauer, who heard thunderous "M-V-P!" chants from the largest regular-season baseball crowd in Metrodome history throughout the game, led his team on a sprint around the warning track as they slapped hands with fans in the first rows.
"One of the best games I'll ever play in," Mauer said after securing his third batting title with a .365 average.
