Lewis belts two homers as Twins end playoff win drought

*Photo from DraftKings Network*

Minnesota leads series 1-0

   At long last, the drought is over in Minnesota. Royce Lewis homered twice, Pablo Lopez starred on the mound, and the Minnesota Twins defeated the Toronto Blue Jays with a 3-1 victory on Tuesday afternoon in Minneapolis.

   The Twins won their first playoff game since game one of the 2004 ALDS, snapping an 18 game losing streak in the playoffs. They did it on the back of a big game by Lewis, who hit two home runs in his return to the lineup. He hadn't played since September 19, spending time on the 10 Day IL to end the regular season.

   Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli said that "I thought the place was going to split open and melt, like, honestly. It was out of this universe out there on the field. The fans took over the game. They helped us win today. They helped us win the game, and they helped us in so many ways out there."

   Lewis got the scoring started right away for the Twins. In the first inning, he belted a two run home run to left field, giving the Twins an early 2-0 lead. It didn't take long for Lewis to strike again. In his second at bat of the game in the 3rd inning, he added a solo home run to right field, making the score 3-0 Twins.

   The Blue Jays got on the board in the 6th inning. Kevin Kiermaier ended the shutout bid, hitting an RBI single to score Bo Bichette and make it a 3-1 game. The Twins bullpen held it down from there to seal the win.

   After the game, Lewis said of his two home runs that "This atmosphere, truly, like when I tell you it was electric, it brought that electricity into my body. I felt different. My heart was beating, it was the most nervous game, exciting game I've ever played in my life. It was so much fun."

   Lopez was the game one starter for the Twins, turning in a strong start. He allowed a run on 5 hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings before Louie Varland finished the 6th. Caleb Thielbar, Griffin Jax, and Jhoan Duran each threw a scoreless inning to close out the win, with Duran getting the save.

   Kevin Gausman allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks in 4 innings pitched. Erik Swanson and Tim Mayza pitched the 5th before Chad Green threw 1 1/3 innings and Genesis Cabrera 2/3 of an inning. Jordan Hicks pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

   Blue Jays first baseman Brandon Belt said of the loss that "Our back is against the wall tomorrow. We've got to show up and play our best baseball of the year, but it's definitely not impossible. I've played a lot of elimination games, and we've come through in a lot of them."

   Game two of the series is on Wednesday afternoon. The Blue Jays look to tie the series with a win and force a deciding game 3, while the Twins look to win, putting them in the ALDS.