Monday, April 4, 2011

1964 Round 1: Twins rally back to upset Chisox in 5

Harmon_Killebrew Zoilo_Versalles Joe_Horlen Ron_Hansen Al_Worthington
Harmon Killebrew Zolio Versalles Joe Horlen Ron Hansen Al Worthington

In Game 1, Twin's LF Harmon Killebrew set the stage for what would be an exciting match up between the 1964 Twins and Chicago White Sox. Harmon crushed an improbably 2-out 9th inning HR in game 1 off CWS closer Hoyt Wilhelm to send the game into extra innings where the Twins would win 10-8 on a big 10th inning hit by Bob Allison.

Game 2 went into the 12th inning tied at 3. After 11 innings of excellent pitching the White Sox finally cracked to allow 5 runs in the 12th to send Minnesota home happy 8-3. Twins Zolio Versalles had the big hit in the extra frame, he looks to be a contender for the AL MVP in 1965, we will have to keep an eye on that.

Down 2 games to 0, the Chicago White Sox battled back on the backs of starting Pitchers Joe Horlen and John Buzhardt to tie the series at 2 games a piece. With the Sox winning game 3, 5 to 1, key was a Minnie Minoso clutch Home Run. The Southsider's Buzhardt got 4 hits, and Ron Hansen nearly hit for the cycle while driving home 5 runs in the CWS 10-4 win.

Game 5 saw Camilo Pascual take the hill and turn in a solid outing while Chicago ace Gary Peters was a bit rough with his control, as he was in game 1. The AL Powerhouses battled to a 4-4 tie through six innings. Peters gave up two of those runs on a passed ball and wild pitch. He led the AL in wild pitches in 1964, and this was a tough game to show off that distinction. Peters had walked 6 though 6 innings and Al Lopez had seen enough, he brought on Fred Kreutzer, the lefty who walks only 4.3 per nine, but alas, here in the deciding game of the playoffs, he'd walk the bases loaded without getting a out. Luckily CWS relievers Don Mossi and Hoyt Wilhelm came on to save face and only allow the Twins 2 runs in that fateful inning. Minnesota moved on to the 8th inning on the road with only 6-4 lead. The White Sox failed to get much going against Minnesota relievers Johnny Klippenstein and Al Worthington, the later of which saved the game for his second save of the 5-game series. Minnesota wins the game 6-4 and the series 3 games to 2.
--submitted by Mike Johnson--

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