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2017 – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have signed Manager Paul Molitor to a three-year contract extension, which will keep him as the club’s manager through 2020. The St. Paul native was named Twins manager in November of 2014, replacing Ron Gardenhire and becoming the 13th manager in club history. In 2017, Molitor led the Twins to a record of 85-77, a 26-win improvement from the previous season and the biggest improvement in baseball. The Twins made the Postseason for the first time since 2010, becoming the first team in baseball history to reach the Postseason after losing 100-plus games in the previous year. In three seasons as manager, Molitor has led the club to a record of 227-259, including winning seasons in 2015 (83-79) and 2017 (85-77). Molitor gets fired after the 2018 season and is replaced by Rocco Baldelli.
2009 – The Twins lose game 2 of the ALDS to the Yankees 4-3 in 11 innings at Yankee Stadium III and find themselves down two games to zip and must win the remaining three games. The Twins had a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning but Alex Rodriguez hits a 2 run home run off Joe Nathan to tie the game and send it into extra innings. In the 11th inning Mark Teixiera hits a lead off walk off home run off Twins pitcher Jose Mijares for a 4-3 victory and a 2-0 lead in the ALDS series. Michael Cuddyer was 3 for 6 but it was not enough. David Robertson got the win and Jose Mijares was the losing pitcher. Box Score
2004 – At the Metrodome, the New York Yankees rally for four runs to tie the game in the eighth off Juan Rincon, then push across the winning run in the 11th on a wild pitch by Kyle Lohse. Henry Blanco went 2 for 3 with a home run and Lew Ford was 2 for 4 with a double, stolen base and two RBI. The 6-5 win gives New York a 3-1 ALDS victory over the Twins for the second year in a row. Box Score
2002 – In the Twins largest home crowd ever, 55,990 fans pack the Dome and wave their Homer Hankies but the Anaheim Angels take game 2 of the 2002 ALCS with a 6-3 win and tie the series at one game each. Doug Mientkiewicz has 3 hits and 2 RBI while Cristian Guzman goes 2 for 4 with a double but the six run lead is too much. Rick Reed goes 5.1 innings but allows six runs and takes the defeat. Box Score
Recap for SABR Game Project by Stew Thornley
1991 – The Toronto Blue Jays take game 2 of the 1991 ALCS at the Metrodome when they beat the Twins 5-2 behind starter Juan Guzman. Kevin Tapani was the losing pitcher while Chuck Knoblauch got two of the Twins five hits. This would be the only game that Toronto would win in the series. Box Score
1965 – Claude Osteen shuts out the Twins 4-0 on five hits in game 3 of the World Series in Los Angeles Dodger Stadium but the Twins still lead the series 2 games to one. Zoilo Versalles had two of the Twins five hits and Camilo Pascual took the loss. Box Score
