Yankees 4, Twins 3 (in 11):

On Matt Tolbert’s base hit to right field, the Twins were set to take a 1-0 lead in the 4^th innings as Delmon Young was coming around to score. However Nick Swisher’s throw went to second base where Carlos Gomez was caught off the base before Young scored…inning over, 0-0 game. With the Twins on the brink of splitting the series and sending it back to the Metrodome, closer Joe Nathan came in to seal the 3-1 victory. However, Alex Rodriguez, who is no longer in a career postseason slump, hit a game-tying 2-run homer to send the game to extra innings. The Twins had their chances to score throughout the game, but none were bigger than the top of the 11^th. With the bases loaded and no one out, Yankees reliever Dave Robertson got a first pitch line drive out from Young, a first pitch groundout from Gomez, and a fly ball out from Brendan Harris (who up until the A-Rod homer was in line for player of the game) without allowing a runner to score. In the bottom of the 11^th, Mark Teixeira made sure the game didn’t go any further by hitting a line drive homerun into the left field corner to leadoff the inning and send Yankees fans home happy. The Twins head home to stave off elimination down 0-2.

Angels 4, Red Sox 1:

A pitcher’s duel was expected when the pitching matchups were released and Boston Red Sox’s Josh Beckett and LA’s Jered Weaver did not disappoint. However, in the 7^th inning, the Angels brought the speed (2 stolen bases) and the bottom of the order chased Beckett from the game with a three run inning. The inning was capped by Maicer Izturis’ 2-out RBI single (career .327 hitter with runners in scoring position) and Erick Aybar’s 2-out, 2-run triple. Weaver was untouchable going into the 8^th inning by striking out his last hitter (his 7^th strikeout), before giving way to the bullpen. Weaver went 7.1 innings, giving up just 2 hits. The Angels, who are always asked about the Red Sox dominance over them in the playoffs, have a commanding 2-0 series lead heading to Boston. The Red Sox mighty offense has been held in check, getting just 8 hits in 18 innings against the Angels pitching staff.

Preview of Game 3’s:

The Philadelphia Phillies head to Colorado and the frozen tundra temperatures at Coors Field with the series tied at 1-1. Game time temperature is expected to be around 30 degrees with a possibility for snow. Some expect a possible postponement if the weather is not acceptable. Players just want to play, cold weather or not, especially the Phillies Matt Stairs, who is from Canada. The starting pitchers are the Rockies Jason Hammel, who is making his first playoff appearance versus the Phillies Pedro Martinez, the playoff veteran.

The Dodgers head to St. Louis looking to sweep the divisional series. They send Vicente Padilla to the mound up against Joel Pineiro. How the Cardinals rebound from the shocking loss in game 2 will determine the winner of this series.