The Toronto Blue Jays lost Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series.
Toronto lost 1-3 in the first game against the Minnesota Twins of the ‘American League Wild Card Series’ held at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA on the 4th (Korean time).
Toronto, which succeeded in advancing to the postseason for the second year in a row by finishing in third place in the wild card (89 wins, 73 losses), lost the important first game and was in danger of ending fall baseball in the wild card series for the second year in a row. This is their fourth straight postseason loss since winning Game 4 of the Division Series against Cleveland in 2016.
Ace Kevin Gausman recorded a loss, allowing 3 hits (2 home runs), 3 walks, 5 strikeouts, and 3 runs in 4 innings. The bullpen team, led by Eric Swanson (⅔ scoreless innings) – Tim Mayza (⅓ scoreless innings) – Chad Green (1⅓ scoreless innings) – Henesis Cabrera (⅔ scoreless innings) – Jordan Hicks (1 scoreless innings), fought back, but the team lost. couldn’t stop it. In the batting lineup, Bo Bichette and Kevin Kiermaier had multiple hits, but the shine was off.
Minnesota, which advanced to the postseason for the first time in three years by winning the American League Central Division title (87 wins and 75 losses), won its first postseason game in 19 years since winning Game 1 of the Division Series against the Yankees in 2004 and recorded its 18th consecutive postseason loss. Finally hung up.
Royce Lewis, who played in a postseason game for the first time since his major league debut last year, went 2-for-3 with 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, and 1 walk, leading Minnesota to escape its 18th consecutive postseason loss. Lewis, who is 24 years old and debuted in the big leagues last year, but has rookie eligibility until this season, became the 10th player to hit multiple home runs in his postseason debut. He is the third player to hit a home run in both of his first two at-bats after Gary Gatti (then Minnesota) in Game 1 of the 1987 American League Championship Series and Evan Longoria (then Tampa Bay) in Game 1 of the 2008 American League Division Series.
Starting pitcher Pablo Lopez became the winning pitcher with a good pitch in 5⅔ innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 walks, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, and 1 run. The bullpen team, consisting of Louis Balland (1/3 scoreless innings), Caleb Tilba (1 inning, no runs), Griffin Jacks (1 inning, no runs), and Yoan Duran (1 inning, no runs), preserved the victory.
Toronto’s leadoff hitter George Springer reached base in the top of the first inning due to a throwing error by third baseman Jorge Polanco. However, the central batting line consisting of Brandon Belt, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Bo Bichette all failed to score due to poor performance.
After overcoming the crisis, Minnesota took the lead in the bottom of the first inning when leadoff hitter Eduard Julien walked and Royce Lewis hit a two-run home run. Lewis did not miss Kevin Gausman’s 6th pitch, a 97.4 mph four-seamer, into the middle of the pitch. The exit speed was 105.5 miles (169.8 km) and the distance was 386 feet (118 m). This is Lewis’ first home run in the postseason.
Minnesota also had a chance in the second inning with runners on first and second base with one out thanks to Matt Wallner’s walk and Michael A. Taylor’s hit. But this time, Julien struck out and Polanco was caught with a fly ball to right field. However, in the 3rd inning, Lewis hit a solo home run and scored the running score with consecutive home runs. This time, Gausman’s 5-pitch, 93.5 mile (150.5 km) four-seamer was driven to the center, and Lewis did not miss the missed throw. It is a large home run with an exit speed of 104.2 miles (167.7 km) and a distance of 397 feet (121 m).메이저놀이터
Toronto hit a hit by Bichette with one out in the top of the fourth inning. With Kevan Biggio’s advanced base hit, 2 outs and runners on second base, Alejandro Kirk got on base with a ball hit by his body, and then Kevin Kiermaier hit a single, but Vichet rushed home and was out, ending the offense. In the 5th inning, leadoff hitter Matt Chapman reached base with a single, but it did not result in a run.
Toronto, which continued to fail to capitalize on scoring opportunities, once again took advantage of Bichett’s hit and Kirk’s walk in the sixth inning with two outs and runners on first and second base. Kiermaier hit a timely hit with 1 RBI, finally scoring the chasing score. However, Chapman’s big hit was caught by center fielder Taylor’s throw, and no additional points were scored.
Toronto had a chance to reach second base with no outs in the 8th inning when leadoff hitter Guerrero Jr. hit a double. However, both Bichet and Biggio struck out, and Kirk was caught with a grounder to first base, throwing away the opportunity without scoring.
Minnesota had a chance to load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning with a walk by Donovan Solano, a hit by Carlos Correa, and a walk by Ryan Jeffers, but Willy Castro struck out. However, in the top of the 9th inning, Toronto also lost the first game as Merrifield got on base with a walk with 2 outs but was unable to score.