[Nick Soulis]

Series #184



2001 Cleveland Indians
Record: 91-71
Finish: Lost in ALDS
Manager: Charlie Manuel
Ball Park: Jacobs Field
WAR Leader: Roberto Alomar (7.3)
Franchise Record: 7-7
2001 Season Record: 1-2
Hall of Famers: (3)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2001.shtml

2023 Minnesota Twins
Record: 87-75
Finish: Lost in ALDS
Manager: Rocco Baldelli
Ball Park: Target Field
WAR Leader: Sonny Gray (5.4)
Franchise Record: 3-1
2023 Season Record: 1-1
Hall of Famers: 0
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2023.shtml
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Indians Display Brave Heart When Needed Most
Facing Elimination, Tribe Rallies In Seven Games



Game 1
At Jacobs Field
2023 Minnesota Twins 7
2001 Cleveland Indians 1
WP: S. Gray (1-0) LP: B. Colon (0-1)
HR: M. Kepler (1), M. Wallner 2 (2)
POG: Matt Wallner (2-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R)
2023 Twins Lead Series 1-0

In a thrilling clash straight out of a baseball fan’s wildest dreams, the 2023 Minnesota Twins took on the 2001 Cleveland Indians in Game 1 of a best-of-seven series at the iconic Jacobs Field on October 1, 2001. The Twins came out swinging, securing a commanding 7-1 victory to kick off the series with a 1-0 lead. Left fielder Matt Wallner was the star of the night, crushing two home runs and driving in five runs, including a pivotal three-run shot in the third inning off Cleveland’s Bartolo Colon that broke the game open. Minnesota’s offense erupted early, plating four runs in the third and adding insurance runs later, while pitcher Sonny Gray stifled the Indians’ potent lineup, allowing just one run over 8.1 stellar innings. Despite Cleveland’s nine hits, they couldn’t capitalize, leaving runners stranded and managing only a lone run in the sixth. With the crisp fall air and the Field of Dreams vibe in full effect, the Twins set the tone for what promises to be an epic series, with Game 2 looming tomorrow at the same historic venue.

Game 2
At Jacobs Field
2023 Minnesota Twins 5
2001 Cleveland Indians 7
WP: B. Wickman (1-0) LP: J. Duran (0-1)
HR: E. Julien (1-0) LP: R. Branyan 2 (2), J. Thome (1)
POG: Russell Branyan (2-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)
Series Tied 1-1

In a thrilling Game 2 of this best-of-seven series at Jacobs Field, the 2001 Cleveland Indians staged a dramatic comeback to edge the 2023 Minnesota Twins 7-5, tying the series at 1-1. The Indians struck early with Jim Thome’s two-run homer in the first off Pablo Lopez, followed by Russell Branyan’s first blast of the night in the fourth to build a 5-1 lead. The Twins fought back, erupting for four runs in the seventh—highlighted by Matt Wallner’s two-run single and Michael Taylor’s RBI knock—chasing starter Dave Burba and knotting the game at 5-5. Both bullpens held firm until the ninth, when, with one out, Branyan stepped up against Twins closer Jhoan Duran and crushed a fastball for a walk-off, two-run homer—his second of the game—sending the Cleveland faithful into a frenzy. "Postseason wins taste oh so sweet," Branyan beamed afterward, as the Indians seized momentum heading into Game 3 at Target Field on October 4th, 2001.

Game 3
At Target Field
2001 Cleveland Indians 5
2023 Minnesota Twins 7
WP: J. Ryan (1-0) LP: C. Finley (0-1) S: J. Duran (1)
HR: E. Burks 2 (2), J. Thome (2), M. Taylor 2 (2), J. Polanco (1)
POG: Michael Taylor (2-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, SB)
2023 Twins Lead Series 2-1

In a slugfest at Target Field, the 2023 Minnesota Twins powered past the 2001 Cleveland Indians 7-5 in Game 3 of this best-of-seven series, taking a 2-1 lead. Michael A. Taylor stole the show, hammering two home runs off Cleveland starter Chuck Finley—including a solo shot in the first and a two-run blast in the fourth—driving in three and sparking a 14-hit Twins attack. Minnesota jumped ahead early with Taylor’s opener, Jorge Polanco’s solo homer in the second, and a three-run fourth capped by Taylor’s second blast, building a 6-1 cushion. The Indians clawed back with Ellis Burks’ two solo homers and Jim Thome’s two-run shot off Joe Ryan, narrowing it to 6-5 in the seventh. But the Twins’ bullpen, led by Brock Stewart and Jhoan Duran’s lockdown ninth, sealed it, with Max Kepler’s three-hit night and Royce Lewis’ RBI single adding insurance. "They say the first rule of the playoffs is to win the home games," Taylor said postgame, savoring the victory as the Twins head into Game 4 with momentum on October 5th, 2001.

Game 4
At Target Field
2001 Cleveland Indians 6
2023 Minnesota Twins 3
WP: P. Shuey (1-0) LP: B. Ober (0-1) S: B. Wickman (1)
HR: E. Burks (3), R. Branyan (3), M. Taylor (3)
POG: Michael Taylor (3-3, HR, RBI, 2 R)
Series Tied 2-2

In a pivotal Game 4 at Target Field, the 2001 Cleveland Indians rallied late to defeat the 2023 Minnesota Twins 6-3, knotting this best-of-seven series at 2-2. The Twins struck first with Michael A. Taylor’s continued brilliance—a solo homer in the fifth among his three hits—but Cleveland answered early with Russell Branyan’s two-run blast in the second off Kenta Maeda to take a 3-1 lead. Minnesota clawed back to tie it at 3-3, with Taylor scoring twice and Jorge Polanco driving in a run, but the game turned in the eighth. Ellis Burks delivered the dagger, crushing a three-run homer off Bailey Ober to give the Indians a 6-3 edge, silencing the Minneapolis crowd. C.C. Sabathia battled through 5.2 innings, while Paul Shuey and Bob Wickman locked it down, handing Minnesota its first home loss. "Trying isn't good enough in this league," Burks said postgame. "You've got to get results." The series shifts back to Cleveland for Game 5 on October 6th, 2001, with everything on the line.

Game 5
At Target Field
2001 Cleveland Indians 2
2023 Minnesota Twins 5
WP: S. Grey (2-0) LP: B. Colon (0-2) S: J. Duran (2)
HR: M. Taylor (4), J. Polanco 2 (3)
POG: Sonny Grey (7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 105 P)
2023 Twins Lead Series 3-2

In a pivotal Game 5 at Target Field, the 2023 Minnesota Twins leaned on Sonny Gray’s brilliance and Jorge Polanco’s power to secure a 5-2 victory over the 2001 Cleveland Indians, taking a 3-2 lead in this best-of-seven series. Gray delivered a masterful 7 innings, allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 7, stifling a Cleveland lineup that jumped ahead 1-0 in the first on Jim Thome’s RBI single. Polanco turned the tide, crushing two solo home runs off Bartolo Colon—in the third to tie it and the fifth to take a 2-1 lead—before Michael A. Taylor’s eighth-inning blast extended the margin to 5-2. Max Kepler’s bases-loaded walk in the seventh, forcing in the go-ahead run after Royce Lewis singled and stole second, proved decisive. Cleveland’s Colon battled through 7 innings but couldn’t match Gray’s precision, while the Twins’ bullpen duo of Brock Stewart and Jhoan Duran slammed the door. "Winning the game is always the first objective," Kepler said, as Minnesota seized control heading to Cleveland for Game 6.

Game 7
At Jacobs Field
2023 Minnesota Twins 5
2001 Cleveland Indians 7
WP: C. Finley (1-1) LP: J. Ryan (1-1) S: B. Wickman (2)
HR: R. Jeffers (1), R. Lewis (1), J. Gonzalez (1), E. Burks (4), J. Thome (3)
POG: Roberto Alomar (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, R)

In a thrilling Game 7 at Jacobs Field on October 9, 2001, the 2001 Cleveland Indians clinched the Field of Dreams Series #184 with a 7-5 victory over the 2023 Minnesota Twins, securing a hard-fought 4-3 series triumph. The Indians erupted early, tagging Twins starter Joe Ryan for four runs in the first inning—highlighted by Jim Thome’s two-run homer and Juan Gonzalez’s solo shot—before adding two more in the second via Roberto Alomar’s bases-clearing double. Minnesota battled back with Royce Lewis’ two-run homer in the third and Ryan Jeffers’ solo shot in the seventh, closing the gap to 7-5 by the eighth with Willi Castro’s RBI single. But Cleveland’s bullpen, led by Steve Reed, Paul Shuey, and closer Bob Wickman—who struck out two in a perfect ninth for his second save—held firm. Thome, named series MVP, praised his team’s resilience: “We’ve got grit. We know how to win when we have to.” Under cloudy skies with 42-degree chill, the Indians’ early firepower and late-game poise delivered etching a new chapter in Cleveland lore.

2001 Cleveland Indians Win Series 4 Games To 3

Series MVP:

(.348, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R, 1 2B, .783 SLG, .483 OBP)