2010 American League Division Series
Encyclopedia
The 2010 American League Division Series
(ALDS) were two best-of-five game series to determine the participating teams in the 2010 American League Championship Series
. The three divisional winners and a fourth "Wild Card" team (the team with the best record
among teams not winning their division) played in two series from October 6 to October 12. TBS televised all games in the United States.
Under MLB's playoff format, no two teams from the same division were matched up in the Division Series, regardless of whether their records would normally indicate such a matchup. Home field advantage went to the team with the better regular-season record with the exception of the wild card team, which defers home field advantage regardless of record. The matchups for the 2010 ALDS were:
This was the second consecutive season and fourth season overall in which the Twins and Yankees met in the ALDS; the Yankees won all their previous series, 3–1 in 2003
and 2004
, and 3–0 in 2009
. The Rays and Rangers had never met previously in the postseason, with Tampa Bay making only their second postseason appearance in franchise history (after 2008
) and Texas making their fourth appearance (and first since 1999
).
The Rangers' win was the first postseason series victory in franchise history; the series also became the first MLB postseason series in which the visiting team
won every game. On the other side, the Yankees extended their postseason dominance over the Twins to four consecutive series wins.
) at Tropicana Field
in St. Petersburg, Florida
Rangers ace Cliff Lee dominated the American League East champions in the Game 1. He struck out ten while allowing five hits. During one stretch, he retired sixteen of seventeen batters before giving up a solo home run to Ben Zobrist
in the seventh. The win also snapped a nine-game postseason losing streak that began in 1996
for the Rangers.
Longtime Ranger Michael Young appeared in his first playoff game after playing in 1,508 games in his career. Only Randy Winn
of the Cardinals has played more games (1,717) without getting a shot in the postseason. Young was 0-for-4.
Nelson Cruz and Bengie Molina
got to Rays ace David Price for a home run apiece, with Vladimir Guerrero
contributing an RBI double as well. In the ninth inning, pitching in a non-save situation, Rangers closer Neftali Feliz walked the first two batters, but then settled down and induced a lineout from Ben Zobrist before striking out Reid Brignac
and Matt Joyce
to end the game.
) at Tropicana Field
in St. Petersburg, Florida
The Rays still had no answers for both the Rangers' starting pitching and their offense. Matt Treanor
was hit by a pitch, and eventually scored on Shields' pickoff error to first base in the third. Ian Kinsler hit a solo homer in the fourth to make it 2–0.
In the top of the fifth inning, with one out and Julio Borbon
on base, Elvis Andrus
hit a single. Shields was pulled, replaced by Chad Qualls
. After a controversial checked swing call, Michael Young hit a three-run home run to extend the lead to 5–0. Rays manager Joe Maddon
was ejected after arguing that Young's prior swing on the 2–2 pitch should have been called strike three. Ian Kinsler's RBI single later in the same inning made it 6–0 Rangers.
The Rays had their best chances in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ben Zobrist
walked then advanced to the third base on Willy Aybar
's double. However, Kelly Shoppach
and Matt Joyce
were both struck out, then Jason Bartlett hit a fly ball to center field to end the threat.
C. J. Wilson pitched shutout innings for Texas, giving up two hits and striking out seven while walking two.
) at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas
In seeking their first franchise postseason home game win and series sweep, the Rangers sent Colby Lewis
to the mound to face the Rays' Matt Garza. The Rays were counting on the 2008 ALCS MVP to come through once again and prevent a sweep.
The Rangers struck first in the bottom of the third inning. Mitch Moreland
hit a lead-off double in the bottom of the third inning, advanced to third on a passed ball by Rays catcher John Jaso
, then scored on Elvis Andrus
's RBI ground-out.
After being shut down for 16 consecutive innings in this series, the Rays finally got back to life. After walking Evan Longoria
, Lewis was replaced by reliever Derek Holland
. The next hitter Matt Joyce
hit a ground ball to Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler
. Longoria was out at second base, but Joyce was ruled safe at first on a close play. Dan Johnson singled, but Joyce was tagged out at second base after a failed attempt to advance to third. Holland was replaced by Alexi Ogando
after walking Carlos Peña
. Orgando gave up an RBI double to B. J. Upton
that scored Johnson. The game was tied at 1–1.
Another controversial play occurred in the bottom of the sixth inning when Andrus stole second on Josh Hamilton's strikeout. Garza and Maddon
argued with the second base umpire Jeff Kellogg
that Andrus' right leg did not stay on base.
Ian Kinsler's go-ahead solo homer in the bottom of the seventh inning took the lead for the Rangers and also knocked Garza out of the game.
Rays designated hitter Dan Johnson doubled in the top of the eighth inning, then Peña's RBI single scored pinch-runner Desmond Jennings
to tie the game at 2–2. Later John Jaso hit a two-out RBI single that scored Peña. This was the Rays' first lead in the series.
Carl Crawford
led off the top of the ninth inning with a solo home run. Later Peña's two-run homer increased Rays' lead to four.
The four-run lead was enough for the Rays closer Rafael Soriano
, despite a solo home run by Nelson Cruz in the bottom of the ninth inning.
) at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas
The Rays scored first in the top of the second inning. Carlos Peña
hit a triple that bounced over the head of the Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton, then scored on Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler
's fielding error.
Back-to-back doubles by Evan Longoria
and Peña in the top of the fourth inning brought in another run for the Rays. After two strikeouts, B. J. Upton
hit the third double in this inning to score Peña.
Evan Longoria hit a two-run homer off the Rangers reliever Derek Holland
in the fifth inning to increase Rays' lead to five.
The Rangers showed some sign of life when Nelson Cruz hit a solo home run, his third in this series, in the bottom of the sixth inning. Later Mitch Moreland
's RBI double off Grant Balfour
scored Ian Kinsler to make the score 5–2. After that, the Rays bullpen was excellent. Balfour got out of the inning and pitched a scoreless seventh, before handing it over to setup man Joaquín Benoit
, a Ranger until this year. He worked a perfect eighth to pick up the hold
.
Rays closer Rafael Soriano
then pitched a perfect ninth for the save.
The series was tied at two and the Rangers were unable to notch their first postseason home game win. It marked the first time since 2005 that a Division Series in either league went the full five games.
) at Tropicana Field
in St. Petersburg, Florida
Game 5 featured a rematch of Game 1's two aces, the Rangers' Cliff Lee
versus the Rays' David Price
.
Elvis Andrus
led off the game with a single, later stole second, and scored for the Rangers on Josh Hamilton's RBI ground-out in the top of the first inning. Rays' pitcher David Price was covering first on the play and was unaware of the runner rounding third. The Rays tied up the game in the bottom of the third inning when Sean Rodriguez
scored on Ben Zobrist
's RBI single.
In the top of the fourth inning, Nelson Cruz hit a two-out double that barely missed being a home run in the deepest corner of the field, stole third, then scored on Rays' catcher Kelly Shoppach
's throwing error.
The Rangers got another run in the top of the sixth on a similar play to the one that occurred in the first. Ian Kinsler
grounded the ball to first and the Rays attempted to turn a double play, with Price covering first. Once again, Price seemed to forget about the runner coming from second when he turned to the umpire to see the call. Vladimir Guerrero
barely beat Price's throw to the plate and the Rangers led, 3–1. All three Texas runs in the game to this point had been scored due to some sort of defensive miscue. Price was relieved by Grant Balfour
in the seventh inning, having gone six innings, allowing three runs (all earned) on eight hits, a slightly better line than his first game but not good enough to match Cliff Lee. Lee dominated the Rays through nine innings, allowing one earned run on six hits, with eleven strikeouts.
The Rangers got another two runs in the top of the ninth on Kinsler's two-run homer off Rays closer Rafael Soriano
. Cruz had singled before the homer, one of his three hits. Kinsler also had three hits for Texas.
Lee's complete game gem made this series become the first MLB postseason series in which the visiting team won every game, and his 21 strikeouts in the two games combined set an ALDS record for most strikeouts in a series. Lee finished the series with a 1.13 ERA in the two games. It is the first playoff series the Texas Rangers have ever won.
over Tampa Bay Rays
) at Target Field
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Hoping to break their streak of postseason defeats against the Yankees, the Twins struck first in this first postseason game in Target Field. In the bottom of the second inning, Yankee starter CC Sabathia hit the lead-off hitter, Jim Thome
, then allowed a two-run home run by Micahel Cuddyer. Orlando Hudson
scored on Jorge Posada
's passed ball to make it 3–0 in the bottom of the third inning.
Francisco Liriano held the Yankees scoreless until the top of the sixth inning. Following Robinson Canó
's and Jorge Posada's RBI singles, Curtis Granderson
's RBI triple scored both Canó and Posada, made it 4–3 Yankees, and knocked Liriano out of the game.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Danny Valencia
's bases-loaded walk tied the game at 4–4.
The Yankees took the lead again in the top of the seventh inning as Mark
Teixeira hit a two-run homer to right field. Yankees closer Mariano Rivera's four-out save (his 40th career postseason save) sealed the Game 1 win.
) at Target Field
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
In Game 2, 17-game winner Carl Pavano started for the Twins, hoping to even the series. Pavano faced the Yankee veteran Andy Pettitte
. Like in Game 1, the Twins struck first in the second inning when Delmon Young
scored on a Danny Valencia
sacrifice fly.
The Yankees tied the game in the top of the fourth inning, as Curtis Granderson
doubled, advanced to third base on Mark Teixeira
's single, then scored on Alex Rodriguez
's sacrifice fly.
Designated hitter Lance Berkman
homered in the fifth inning to take the lead for the Yankees. But Orlando Hudson
tied it up with a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth inning.
In the top of the seventh inning, Berkman's RBI double over the head of the Twins center fielder Denard Span
once again took the lead for the Yankees. Like Joe Maddon
did earlier in the Rangers–Rays game, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire
argued about the 1–2 borderline pitch right before Berkman's double and got ejected. Later Derek Jeter
's RBI single scored Berkman and made the score 4–2.
Granderson's RBI single scored Brett Gardner
in the top of the ninth inning. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Mariano Rivera
gave up a leadoff single to Joe Mauer
, but got Delmon Young
to ground into a double play and then induced a fly ball to left field from Jim Thome for the second consecutive save in the series.
This was Andy Pettitte's 19th career postseason win and Mariano Rivera's 41st postseason save; both are all-time postseason pitching records. Also, this was the 11th straight postseason loss for the Twins and eighth straight postseason loss against the Yankees.
) at Yankee Stadium
in the Bronx, New York
The Yankees took an early lead this time in the bottom of the second inning when Robinson Canó
hit a lead-off triple, later scored on Jorge Posada
's RBI single. Nick Swisher
hit a two-out double in the bottom of the third inning, then scored on Mark Teixeira
's RBI single to increase their lead to two.
Canó singled again in the bottom of the fourth inning. And the next batter, Marcus Thames
, who had a successful record against the left-handed pitcher this year, hit the first pitch he saw into the right field. Later Curtis Granderson
walked, stole second, and advanced to third on Joe Mauer
's throwing error. Brett Gardner
's RBI sacrifice fly scored Granderson to make the score 5–0. Later Nick Swisher's solo homer in the bottom of the seventh inning increased the lead to six.
After being shut down by Hughes for seven innings, the Twins finally got on board in the top of the eighth inning. Danny Valencia
hit a lead-off double off Yankees reliever Kerry Wood
. After J. J. Hardy flew out, both Denard Span
and Orlando Hudson
singled to score Valencia. Wood was removed from the game after walking Mauer. But Yankees relievers Boone Logan
and David Robertson induced a popout and a flyout respectively to get out of the one-out bases-loaded jam. Yankees closer Mariano Rivera
pitched a scoreless ninth for the series sweep.
This was the first time that the Yankees advanced to the second round of the postseason as the Wild Card (they lost all three in 1995, 1997, and 2007), and this win marked the ninth time the Yankees advanced to the LCS since 1995, the most in MLB.
over Minnesota Twins
American League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series...
(ALDS) were two best-of-five game series to determine the participating teams in the 2010 American League Championship Series
2010 American League Championship Series
The 2010 American League Championship Series was the best-of-seven game series pitting the winners of the 2010 American League Division Series for the American League Championship. The American League wild card-winning New York Yankees faced the American League Western Division champions Texas...
. The three divisional winners and a fourth "Wild Card" team (the team with the best record
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
among teams not winning their division) played in two series from October 6 to October 12. TBS televised all games in the United States.
Under MLB's playoff format, no two teams from the same division were matched up in the Division Series, regardless of whether their records would normally indicate such a matchup. Home field advantage went to the team with the better regular-season record with the exception of the wild card team, which defers home field advantage regardless of record. The matchups for the 2010 ALDS were:
- (1) Tampa Bay Rays2010 Tampa Bay Rays seasonThe Tampa Bay Rays' 2010 season was their 13th season of baseball. They improved on their 84–78 record from 2009 by finishing the regular season 96–66, and qualifying for the postseason for the second time in history by winning their second AL East division championship in three...
(Eastern Division champions, 96–66) vs. (3) Texas Rangers2010 Texas Rangers seasonThe Texas Rangers’ 2010 season was the 50th in franchise history. The team, managed by Ron Washington, won their first division title since 1999 and reached the World Series for the first time in only their fourth playoff appearance. Washington would become only the second manager in franchise...
(West Division champions, 90–72): Rangers win series, 3–2. - (2) Minnesota Twins2010 Minnesota Twins seasonThe Minnesota Twins season was the 50th season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 110th overall in the American League.It was their first season in their new stadium, Target Field, which made its regular-season debut on April 12 as the Twins defeated the Boston Red Sox 5–2...
(Central Division champions, 94–68) vs. (4) New York Yankees2010 New York Yankees seasonThe 2010 New York Yankees season was the 110th season for the New York Yankees franchise The Yankees were attempting to defend its status as American League and World Series champions, but lost in the ALCS to the Texas Rangers...
(Wild Card qualifier, 95–67): Yankees win series, 3–0.
This was the second consecutive season and fourth season overall in which the Twins and Yankees met in the ALDS; the Yankees won all their previous series, 3–1 in 2003
2003 American League Division Series
-Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox:-Game 1, September 30:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York-Game 2, October 2:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York-Game 3, October 4:Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota-Game 4, October 5:...
and 2004
2004 American League Division Series
-Anaheim Angels vs. Boston Red Sox:-Game 1, October 5:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkPitching dominated in Game 1 as Mike Mussina faced Johan Santana. The Twins got on the board first when Shannon Stewart singled home Michael Cuddyer. Then in the sixth, Jacque Jones hit a solo home run to make...
, and 3–0 in 2009
2009 American League Division Series
The American League Division Series consisted of two concurrent best-of-five game series that determined the participating teams in the 2009 American League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a "wild card" team played in the two series. The ALDS began on Wednesday, October 7 and...
. The Rays and Rangers had never met previously in the postseason, with Tampa Bay making only their second postseason appearance in franchise history (after 2008
2008 Tampa Bay Rays season
The Tampa Bay Rays' 2008 season, the 11th season in franchise history, marked the change of the team's name from the "Tampa Bay Devil Rays" to the "Tampa Bay Rays", as revealed on November 8, 2007. The change in name also came with a change in logo and uniforms, with new team colors of Columbia...
) and Texas making their fourth appearance (and first since 1999
1999 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers 1999 season involved the Rangers finishing 1st in the American League west with a record of 95 wins and 67 losses. The 95-67 mark would be the best in franchise history until 2011....
).
The Rangers' win was the first postseason series victory in franchise history; the series also became the first MLB postseason series in which the visiting team
Road (sports)
Road game , more commonly known as an away game, is a reference to all cities and stadia/arenas/fields/venues where an athletic team plays games for which it is not the host. Most professional teams represent cities or towns and amateur sports teams often represent academic institutions...
won every game. On the other side, the Yankees extended their postseason dominance over the Twins to four consecutive series wins.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers
Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees
Game 1, October 6
1:30 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field is a domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has been the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays since the team's inaugural season in 1998, when they were the Devil Rays. It has also served as the host stadium for the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, an NCAA-sanctioned college...
in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
Rangers ace Cliff Lee dominated the American League East champions in the Game 1. He struck out ten while allowing five hits. During one stretch, he retired sixteen of seventeen batters before giving up a solo home run to Ben Zobrist
Ben Zobrist
Benjamin Thomas "Ben" Zobrist is an American baseball player currently with Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays. A switch-hitter who throws right-handed, he has exhibited a versatility to play most positions with the exception of pitcher and catcher. He has been the Rays' starting second...
in the seventh. The win also snapped a nine-game postseason losing streak that began in 1996
1996 American League Division Series
-Texas Rangers vs. New York Yankees:-Game 1, October 1:Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MarylandIt was Baltimore's first playoff game since the clinching Game 5 of the 1983 World Series. For the Indians, it was their second consecutive division title. Charles Nagy and David Wells matched...
for the Rangers.
Longtime Ranger Michael Young appeared in his first playoff game after playing in 1,508 games in his career. Only Randy Winn
Randy Winn
Dwight Randolph Winn is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Winn was a switch hitter, and threw right-handed. He played college baseball at Santa Clara University and made his Major League debut in 1998 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
of the Cardinals has played more games (1,717) without getting a shot in the postseason. Young was 0-for-4.
Nelson Cruz and Bengie Molina
Bengie Molina
Benjamin José "Bengie" Molina , nicknamed "Big Money", is a former Major League Baseball catcher.He is the older brother of major league catchers José Molina and Yadier Molina....
got to Rays ace David Price for a home run apiece, with Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Alvino Guerrero is a free agent Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter.In , he was voted the American League MVP...
contributing an RBI double as well. In the ninth inning, pitching in a non-save situation, Rangers closer Neftali Feliz walked the first two batters, but then settled down and induced a lineout from Ben Zobrist before striking out Reid Brignac
Reid Brignac
Reid Michael Brignac is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Professional career:Brignac was drafted by Tampa Bay Rays in the second round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft out of St. Amant High School as a shortstop...
and Matt Joyce
Matt Joyce (baseball)
Matthew R. Joyce is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Early life:Joyce began his career at North Brandon Little League in Brandon, Florida....
to end the game.
Game 2, October 7
2:30 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field is a domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has been the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays since the team's inaugural season in 1998, when they were the Devil Rays. It has also served as the host stadium for the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, an NCAA-sanctioned college...
in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
The Rays still had no answers for both the Rangers' starting pitching and their offense. Matt Treanor
Matt Treanor
Matthew Aaron Treanor is an American professional baseball catcher who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball...
was hit by a pitch, and eventually scored on Shields' pickoff error to first base in the third. Ian Kinsler hit a solo homer in the fourth to make it 2–0.
In the top of the fifth inning, with one out and Julio Borbon
Julio Borbon
Julio Alberto Borbon is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Texas Rangers.-Baseball career:...
on base, Elvis Andrus
Elvis Andrus
Elvis Augusto Andrus Torres is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Texas Rangers.Entering , he was rated by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization...
hit a single. Shields was pulled, replaced by Chad Qualls
Chad Qualls
Chadford Michael Qualls is a relief pitcher.-Astros:Qualls was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Houston Astros. He began his career as a starting pitcher with the Michigan Battle Cats in...
. After a controversial checked swing call, Michael Young hit a three-run home run to extend the lead to 5–0. Rays manager Joe Maddon
Joe Maddon
Joseph John Maddon is the Major League Baseball manager for the Tampa Bay Rays.He previously served as interim manager of the Anaheim Angels in both 1996 and 1999. He was also a long-time bench coach for the team.-Early life and career:Maddon attended Lafayette College, where he played baseball...
was ejected after arguing that Young's prior swing on the 2–2 pitch should have been called strike three. Ian Kinsler's RBI single later in the same inning made it 6–0 Rangers.
The Rays had their best chances in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ben Zobrist
Ben Zobrist
Benjamin Thomas "Ben" Zobrist is an American baseball player currently with Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays. A switch-hitter who throws right-handed, he has exhibited a versatility to play most positions with the exception of pitcher and catcher. He has been the Rays' starting second...
walked then advanced to the third base on Willy Aybar
Willy Aybar
Willy Del Jesus Aybar is an infielder who currently plays for the Yuma Scorpions in the North American League. Aybar has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Tampa Bay Rays...
's double. However, Kelly Shoppach
Kelly Shoppach
Kelly Brian Shoppach is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. He is nicknamed Shop.Shoppach was traded to the Indians from the Boston Red Sox organization on January 28, 2006, as part of the same deal that saw outfielder Coco Crisp sent to Boston and highly regarded prospect Andy...
and Matt Joyce
Matt Joyce (baseball)
Matthew R. Joyce is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Early life:Joyce began his career at North Brandon Little League in Brandon, Florida....
were both struck out, then Jason Bartlett hit a fly ball to center field to end the threat.
C. J. Wilson pitched shutout innings for Texas, giving up two hits and striking out seven while walking two.
Game 3, October 9
5:00 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
In seeking their first franchise postseason home game win and series sweep, the Rangers sent Colby Lewis
Colby Lewis
Colby Preston Lewis is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers.Lewis was originally a first-round draft choice of the Texas Rangers in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft, and made his major league debut in...
to the mound to face the Rays' Matt Garza. The Rays were counting on the 2008 ALCS MVP to come through once again and prevent a sweep.
The Rangers struck first in the bottom of the third inning. Mitch Moreland
Mitch Moreland
Mitchell Austin Moreland is a professional baseball first baseman and right fielder who plays for the Texas Rangers....
hit a lead-off double in the bottom of the third inning, advanced to third on a passed ball by Rays catcher John Jaso
John Jaso
John Edward Jaso is an American professional baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:...
, then scored on Elvis Andrus
Elvis Andrus
Elvis Augusto Andrus Torres is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Texas Rangers.Entering , he was rated by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization...
's RBI ground-out.
After being shut down for 16 consecutive innings in this series, the Rays finally got back to life. After walking Evan Longoria
Evan Longoria
Evan Michael Longoria is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays. Formerly, Longoria was a star infielder for the Long Beach State University baseball team, the Cape Cod League MVP, and the Big West Co-Player of the Year.He made his major league debut for the Rays in , and...
, Lewis was replaced by reliever Derek Holland
Derek Holland (baseball)
Derek Lane Holland is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers. He is noted for his kid-like appearance....
. The next hitter Matt Joyce
Matt Joyce (baseball)
Matthew R. Joyce is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Early life:Joyce began his career at North Brandon Little League in Brandon, Florida....
hit a ground ball to Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler
Ian Kinsler
Ian Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
. Longoria was out at second base, but Joyce was ruled safe at first on a close play. Dan Johnson singled, but Joyce was tagged out at second base after a failed attempt to advance to third. Holland was replaced by Alexi Ogando
Alexi Ogando
Alexi Ogando is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers.-Oakland Athletics:Ogando was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, and originally signed with the Oakland Athletics as an outfielder in...
after walking Carlos Peña
Carlos Peña
Carlos Felipe Peña is a Dominican professional baseball left-handed first baseman. He played previously with the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs.Although he was born in Santo Domingo and his family is from San Francisco de Macorís,...
. Orgando gave up an RBI double to B. J. Upton
B. J. Upton
Melvin Emmanuel "B. J." Upton is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays. Upton is a graduate of Greenbrier Christian Academy....
that scored Johnson. The game was tied at 1–1.
Another controversial play occurred in the bottom of the sixth inning when Andrus stole second on Josh Hamilton's strikeout. Garza and Maddon
Joe Maddon
Joseph John Maddon is the Major League Baseball manager for the Tampa Bay Rays.He previously served as interim manager of the Anaheim Angels in both 1996 and 1999. He was also a long-time bench coach for the team.-Early life and career:Maddon attended Lafayette College, where he played baseball...
argued with the second base umpire Jeff Kellogg
Jeff Kellogg
Jeffrey William Kellogg is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the National League from 1991 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000...
that Andrus' right leg did not stay on base.
Ian Kinsler's go-ahead solo homer in the bottom of the seventh inning took the lead for the Rangers and also knocked Garza out of the game.
Rays designated hitter Dan Johnson doubled in the top of the eighth inning, then Peña's RBI single scored pinch-runner Desmond Jennings
Desmond Jennings
Desmond Delane Jennings is an outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Baseball career:Jennings was taken by the Cleveland Indians in the 18th round of the 2005 amateur draft out of high school but did not sign...
to tie the game at 2–2. Later John Jaso hit a two-out RBI single that scored Peña. This was the Rays' first lead in the series.
Carl Crawford
Carl Crawford
Carl Demonte Crawford is an American professional baseball outfielder who plays for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws left-handed...
led off the top of the ninth inning with a solo home run. Later Peña's two-run homer increased Rays' lead to four.
The four-run lead was enough for the Rays closer Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. He bats and throws right-handed...
, despite a solo home run by Nelson Cruz in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Game 4, October 10
1:00 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
The Rays scored first in the top of the second inning. Carlos Peña
Carlos Peña
Carlos Felipe Peña is a Dominican professional baseball left-handed first baseman. He played previously with the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs.Although he was born in Santo Domingo and his family is from San Francisco de Macorís,...
hit a triple that bounced over the head of the Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton, then scored on Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler
Ian Kinsler
Ian Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
's fielding error.
Back-to-back doubles by Evan Longoria
Evan Longoria
Evan Michael Longoria is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays. Formerly, Longoria was a star infielder for the Long Beach State University baseball team, the Cape Cod League MVP, and the Big West Co-Player of the Year.He made his major league debut for the Rays in , and...
and Peña in the top of the fourth inning brought in another run for the Rays. After two strikeouts, B. J. Upton
B. J. Upton
Melvin Emmanuel "B. J." Upton is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays. Upton is a graduate of Greenbrier Christian Academy....
hit the third double in this inning to score Peña.
Evan Longoria hit a two-run homer off the Rangers reliever Derek Holland
Derek Holland (baseball)
Derek Lane Holland is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers. He is noted for his kid-like appearance....
in the fifth inning to increase Rays' lead to five.
The Rangers showed some sign of life when Nelson Cruz hit a solo home run, his third in this series, in the bottom of the sixth inning. Later Mitch Moreland
Mitch Moreland
Mitchell Austin Moreland is a professional baseball first baseman and right fielder who plays for the Texas Rangers....
's RBI double off Grant Balfour
Grant Balfour
Grant Robert Balfour is a relief pitcher who plays for the Oakland Athletics. He has previously played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers.-Early life:...
scored Ian Kinsler to make the score 5–2. After that, the Rays bullpen was excellent. Balfour got out of the inning and pitched a scoreless seventh, before handing it over to setup man Joaquín Benoit
Joaquín Benoit
Joaquín Antonio Benoit Peña is a Dominican professional baseball relief pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball in the United States. He is 6'3" and weighs 220 pounds.-Texas Rangers:...
, a Ranger until this year. He worked a perfect eighth to pick up the hold
Hold (baseball)
A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who meets the following three conditions:Unlike saves, wins, and losses, more than one pitcher per team can earn a hold for a game, though it is not possible for a pitcher to receive more than one hold in a given game...
.
Rays closer Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. He bats and throws right-handed...
then pitched a perfect ninth for the save.
The series was tied at two and the Rangers were unable to notch their first postseason home game win. It marked the first time since 2005 that a Division Series in either league went the full five games.
Game 5, October 12
8:00 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field is a domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has been the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays since the team's inaugural season in 1998, when they were the Devil Rays. It has also served as the host stadium for the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, an NCAA-sanctioned college...
in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
Game 5 featured a rematch of Game 1's two aces, the Rangers' Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
versus the Rays' David Price
David Price (baseball)
David Taylor Price is an American Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. Price was selected first overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft by the Rays and made his major league debut in September 2008.Price pitched out of the bullpen during the Rays' run...
.
Elvis Andrus
Elvis Andrus
Elvis Augusto Andrus Torres is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Texas Rangers.Entering , he was rated by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization...
led off the game with a single, later stole second, and scored for the Rangers on Josh Hamilton's RBI ground-out in the top of the first inning. Rays' pitcher David Price was covering first on the play and was unaware of the runner rounding third. The Rays tied up the game in the bottom of the third inning when Sean Rodriguez
Sean Rodriguez
Sean John Rodriguez is a Cuban American Major League Baseball short stop for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school career:...
scored on Ben Zobrist
Ben Zobrist
Benjamin Thomas "Ben" Zobrist is an American baseball player currently with Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays. A switch-hitter who throws right-handed, he has exhibited a versatility to play most positions with the exception of pitcher and catcher. He has been the Rays' starting second...
's RBI single.
In the top of the fourth inning, Nelson Cruz hit a two-out double that barely missed being a home run in the deepest corner of the field, stole third, then scored on Rays' catcher Kelly Shoppach
Kelly Shoppach
Kelly Brian Shoppach is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. He is nicknamed Shop.Shoppach was traded to the Indians from the Boston Red Sox organization on January 28, 2006, as part of the same deal that saw outfielder Coco Crisp sent to Boston and highly regarded prospect Andy...
's throwing error.
The Rangers got another run in the top of the sixth on a similar play to the one that occurred in the first. Ian Kinsler
Ian Kinsler
Ian Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
grounded the ball to first and the Rays attempted to turn a double play, with Price covering first. Once again, Price seemed to forget about the runner coming from second when he turned to the umpire to see the call. Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Alvino Guerrero is a free agent Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter.In , he was voted the American League MVP...
barely beat Price's throw to the plate and the Rangers led, 3–1. All three Texas runs in the game to this point had been scored due to some sort of defensive miscue. Price was relieved by Grant Balfour
Grant Balfour
Grant Robert Balfour is a relief pitcher who plays for the Oakland Athletics. He has previously played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers.-Early life:...
in the seventh inning, having gone six innings, allowing three runs (all earned) on eight hits, a slightly better line than his first game but not good enough to match Cliff Lee. Lee dominated the Rays through nine innings, allowing one earned run on six hits, with eleven strikeouts.
The Rangers got another two runs in the top of the ninth on Kinsler's two-run homer off Rays closer Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. He bats and throws right-handed...
. Cruz had singled before the homer, one of his three hits. Kinsler also had three hits for Texas.
Lee's complete game gem made this series become the first MLB postseason series in which the visiting team won every game, and his 21 strikeouts in the two games combined set an ALDS record for most strikeouts in a series. Lee finished the series with a 1.13 ERA in the two games. It is the first playoff series the Texas Rangers have ever won.
Composite box
2010 ALDS (3–2): Texas Rangers2010 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2010 season was the 50th in franchise history. The team, managed by Ron Washington, won their first division title since 1999 and reached the World Series for the first time in only their fourth playoff appearance. Washington would become only the second manager in franchise...
over Tampa Bay Rays
2010 Tampa Bay Rays season
The Tampa Bay Rays' 2010 season was their 13th season of baseball. They improved on their 84–78 record from 2009 by finishing the regular season 96–66, and qualifying for the postseason for the second time in history by winning their second AL East division championship in three...
Game 1, October 6
8:30 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Target Field
Target Field
Target Field is a baseball park located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the home ballpark of the Minnesota Twins, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It is the franchise's sixth ballpark and third in Minnesota. The Twins moved to Target Field for the 2010 Major League Baseball...
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
Hoping to break their streak of postseason defeats against the Yankees, the Twins struck first in this first postseason game in Target Field. In the bottom of the second inning, Yankee starter CC Sabathia hit the lead-off hitter, Jim Thome
Jim Thome
James Howard "Jim" Thome is a Major League Baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is the eighth player to hit 600 home runs in the major leagues. He is widely considered a future Hall of Famer.-Cleveland Indians :...
, then allowed a two-run home run by Micahel Cuddyer. Orlando Hudson
Orlando Hudson
Orlando Thill Hudson is an American professional baseball second baseman with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball.-Early life and high school career:...
scored on Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
's passed ball to make it 3–0 in the bottom of the third inning.
Francisco Liriano held the Yankees scoreless until the top of the sixth inning. Following Robinson Canó
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó Mercedes is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees.-Family and early life:...
's and Jorge Posada's RBI singles, Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
's RBI triple scored both Canó and Posada, made it 4–3 Yankees, and knocked Liriano out of the game.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Danny Valencia
Danny Valencia
Daniel Paul Valencia is a third baseman for the Minnesota Twins.In high school, he was all-county three times and all-state twice. In college, he was Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, second-team all-conference, and on his all-regional team...
's bases-loaded walk tied the game at 4–4.
The Yankees took the lead again in the top of the seventh inning as Mark
Teixeira hit a two-run homer to right field. Yankees closer Mariano Rivera's four-out save (his 40th career postseason save) sealed the Game 1 win.
Game 2, October 7
6:00 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Target Field
Target Field
Target Field is a baseball park located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the home ballpark of the Minnesota Twins, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It is the franchise's sixth ballpark and third in Minnesota. The Twins moved to Target Field for the 2010 Major League Baseball...
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
In Game 2, 17-game winner Carl Pavano started for the Twins, hoping to even the series. Pavano faced the Yankee veteran Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
. Like in Game 1, the Twins struck first in the second inning when Delmon Young
Delmon Young
Delmon Damarcus Young is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is the younger brother of former major league outfielder and first baseman Dmitri Young. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama.Young is known for having a strong and accurate...
scored on a Danny Valencia
Danny Valencia
Daniel Paul Valencia is a third baseman for the Minnesota Twins.In high school, he was all-county three times and all-state twice. In college, he was Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, second-team all-conference, and on his all-regional team...
sacrifice fly.
The Yankees tied the game in the top of the fourth inning, as Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
doubled, advanced to third base on Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...
's single, then scored on Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
's sacrifice fly.
Designated hitter Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
homered in the fifth inning to take the lead for the Yankees. But Orlando Hudson
Orlando Hudson
Orlando Thill Hudson is an American professional baseball second baseman with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball.-Early life and high school career:...
tied it up with a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth inning.
In the top of the seventh inning, Berkman's RBI double over the head of the Twins center fielder Denard Span
Denard Span
Keiunta Denard Span is an American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Minnesota Twins. He was selected by the Twins with the 20th overall pick in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft from Tampa Catholic High School...
once again took the lead for the Yankees. Like Joe Maddon
Joe Maddon
Joseph John Maddon is the Major League Baseball manager for the Tampa Bay Rays.He previously served as interim manager of the Anaheim Angels in both 1996 and 1999. He was also a long-time bench coach for the team.-Early life and career:Maddon attended Lafayette College, where he played baseball...
did earlier in the Rangers–Rays game, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire
Ron Gardenhire
Ronald Clyde "Gardy" Gardenhire is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and current manager of the Minnesota Twins.He is six feet tall and weighed 175 pounds during most of his baseball career....
argued about the 1–2 borderline pitch right before Berkman's double and got ejected. Later Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
's RBI single scored Berkman and made the score 4–2.
Granderson's RBI single scored Brett Gardner
Brett Gardner
Brett M. Gardner is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the New York Yankees. Gardner, who is 5' 10", bats and throws left-handed.-College baseball career:...
in the top of the ninth inning. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
gave up a leadoff single to Joe Mauer
Joe Mauer
Joseph Patrick Mauer is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Minnesota Twins. He is the only catcher in Major League history to win three batting titles...
, but got Delmon Young
Delmon Young
Delmon Damarcus Young is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is the younger brother of former major league outfielder and first baseman Dmitri Young. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama.Young is known for having a strong and accurate...
to ground into a double play and then induced a fly ball to left field from Jim Thome for the second consecutive save in the series.
This was Andy Pettitte's 19th career postseason win and Mariano Rivera's 41st postseason save; both are all-time postseason pitching records. Also, this was the 11th straight postseason loss for the Twins and eighth straight postseason loss against the Yankees.
Game 3, October 9
8:30 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
in the Bronx, New York
The Yankees took an early lead this time in the bottom of the second inning when Robinson Canó
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó Mercedes is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees.-Family and early life:...
hit a lead-off triple, later scored on Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
's RBI single. Nick Swisher
Nick Swisher
Nicholas Thompson "Nick" Swisher is an outfielder for the New York Yankees. Swisher is a switch hitter who throws left-handed....
hit a two-out double in the bottom of the third inning, then scored on Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...
's RBI single to increase their lead to two.
Canó singled again in the bottom of the fourth inning. And the next batter, Marcus Thames
Marcus Thames
Marcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....
, who had a successful record against the left-handed pitcher this year, hit the first pitch he saw into the right field. Later Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
walked, stole second, and advanced to third on Joe Mauer
Joe Mauer
Joseph Patrick Mauer is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Minnesota Twins. He is the only catcher in Major League history to win three batting titles...
's throwing error. Brett Gardner
Brett Gardner
Brett M. Gardner is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the New York Yankees. Gardner, who is 5' 10", bats and throws left-handed.-College baseball career:...
's RBI sacrifice fly scored Granderson to make the score 5–0. Later Nick Swisher's solo homer in the bottom of the seventh inning increased the lead to six.
After being shut down by Hughes for seven innings, the Twins finally got on board in the top of the eighth inning. Danny Valencia
Danny Valencia
Daniel Paul Valencia is a third baseman for the Minnesota Twins.In high school, he was all-county three times and all-state twice. In college, he was Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, second-team all-conference, and on his all-regional team...
hit a lead-off double off Yankees reliever Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood
Kerry Lee Wood is a National Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wood recorded over 200 strikeouts in four out of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003....
. After J. J. Hardy flew out, both Denard Span
Denard Span
Keiunta Denard Span is an American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Minnesota Twins. He was selected by the Twins with the 20th overall pick in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft from Tampa Catholic High School...
and Orlando Hudson
Orlando Hudson
Orlando Thill Hudson is an American professional baseball second baseman with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball.-Early life and high school career:...
singled to score Valencia. Wood was removed from the game after walking Mauer. But Yankees relievers Boone Logan
Boone Logan
Boone Logan is a left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Logan previously played for the Chicago White Sox from 2006–2008 and the Atlanta Braves in 2009.-Playing career:...
and David Robertson induced a popout and a flyout respectively to get out of the one-out bases-loaded jam. Yankees closer Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
pitched a scoreless ninth for the series sweep.
This was the first time that the Yankees advanced to the second round of the postseason as the Wild Card (they lost all three in 1995, 1997, and 2007), and this win marked the ninth time the Yankees advanced to the LCS since 1995, the most in MLB.
Composite box
2010 ALDS (3–0): New York Yankees2010 New York Yankees season
The 2010 New York Yankees season was the 110th season for the New York Yankees franchise The Yankees were attempting to defend its status as American League and World Series champions, but lost in the ALCS to the Texas Rangers...
over Minnesota Twins
2010 Minnesota Twins season
The Minnesota Twins season was the 50th season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 110th overall in the American League.It was their first season in their new stadium, Target Field, which made its regular-season debut on April 12 as the Twins defeated the Boston Red Sox 5–2...