 10/05/2004 11:58 PM ET
Twins short hops -- Game 1
Minnesota had record-breaking opener
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| Henry Blanco tags out Jorge Posada at the plate after Torii Hunter's throw from center field. (Kathy Willens/AP)
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The last time the Twins tossed a shutout in the postseason, they won a World Series -- literally. It goes all the way back to Jack Morris and his famous 10-inning blanking of the Braves in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.
For the Yankees, however, it was an all-too-familiar look on the scoreboard. They were shut out by Josh Beckett in the deciding Game 6 of last year's World Series.
There's a current Twins connection to Morris beyond the fact that he fills in on some radio broadcasts during the regular season. Morris went on to another World Series in 1993 with Toronto. The Blue Jays' catcher was Pat Borders, who has resurfaced as the Twins' backup catcher. And you thought Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon was a fun game.
Vitals check
A look at key statistics through Game 1 of the ALDS.
Team stats
| Digits |
Trend |
The Deal |
| ERA |
0.00 |
 |
This is what Minnesota needed from Santana. |
| BA |
.226 |
 |
Few good swings off Mussina, but key ones |
| BA w/ RISP |
1-for-3 |
|
Stewart shows why more than typical leadoff guy |
| Runs |
0-0, 0.00 ERA |
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Big eighth inning stabilized bullpen |
Behind the numbers
Minnesota's playoff record five double plays was partly a tribute to Santana's induced ground balls. That goes against trend; his 0.93 ratio of groundouts to flyouts ranked 31st in the AL and trailed teammates Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse. 
Frozen moment
Waiting to see if Jacque Jones' opposite-field shot was going to clear the left field fence. When it reached the left-field seats, it gave Minnesota a two-run lead -- not much, but enough that Santana could allow a baserunner and not feel suffocated.
Slick move
Inserting Luis Rivas as a defensive replacement at second base. He couldn't start because of bone chips in his elbow, but he made his presence felt almost instantly by helped turn an eighth-inning double play with the potential tying run at the plate.
Modern history
The Twins set a playoff record by turning five double plays. Twelve other teams turned four double plays in a game; eight of those teams won their games.
Last word
"Tonight, we showed how to play the game." -- Santana Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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