[Nick Soulis]

Series #202



2011 Colorado Rockies
Record: 73-89
Finish: 4th in NL West
Manager: Jim Tracy
Ball Park: Coors Field
WAR Leader: Troy Tulowitski (6.2)
Franchise Record: 2-3
2011 Season Record: 3-5
Hall of Famers: (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2011.shtml

2014 Minnesota Twins
Record: 70-92
Finish: 5th in AL Central
Manager: Ron Gardenhire
Ball Park: Target Field
WAR Leader: Brian Dozier (5.5)
Franchise Record: 3-2
2014 Season Record: 0-0
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2014.shtml
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Santana Lifts Twins To Success
Twins Handle Rockies Easier Then Anticipated



Game 1
At Coors Field
2014 Minnesota Twins 13
2011 Colorado Rockies 2
WP: P. Hughes (1-0) LP: U. Jimenez (0-1)
HR: O. Arcia (1), D. Santana (1), S. Smith (1)
POG: Danny Santana (3-6, HR, 2B, 5 RBI, 3 R)
2014 Twins Lead Series 2-0

Under the crisp October skies at a wind-swept Coors Field, the 2014 Minnesota Twins unleashed a relentless offensive onslaught to claim Game 1 of the Field of Dreams Series #202 with a 13–2 demolition of the 2011 Colorado Rockies. Shortstop Danny Santana led the charge, going 3-for-6 with a three-run homer, a double, and five RBIs to earn Player of the Game honors. The Twins struck early and often, scoring nine runs in the first three innings off a beleaguered Ubaldo Jimenez and Jhoulys Chacín, and racking up 19 hits on the night. Phil Hughes delivered a masterful performance on the mound, allowing just two runs over 8.1 innings with six strikeouts and no walks. Colorado managed only a solo homer from Seth Smith and an RBI single from Ty Wigginton, as their offense fizzled under the lights. Despite three double plays turned by the Rockies in the field, their pitching staff could not stop the bleeding, with Rafael Betancourt and Drew Pomeranz surrendering late insurance runs. Minnesota takes a commanding 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven, with Game 2 set for tomorrow night in Denver.

Game 2
At Coors Field
2014 Minnesota Twins 4
2011 Colorado Rockies 3
WP: K. Gibson (1-0) LP: F. Paulino (0-1) S: G. Perkins (1)
HR: None
POG: Kyle Gibson (5.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 111 P)
2014 Twins Lead Series 2-0

At a crisp 54-degree Field of Dreams setting in Denver, the 2014 Minnesota Twins edged the 2011 Colorado Rockies 4-3 in Game 2 of their best-of-seven series, seizing a commanding 2-0 lead. Kyle Gibson earned Player of the Game honors with a gritty 5.2-inning outing, striking out two while navigating traffic and overcoming a pair of wild pitches. All four of Minnesota’s runs came in a decisive second inning, punctuated by Brian Dozier’s clutch two-out, two-run double off Felipe Paulino. Though the Rockies clawed back with a run in the second and two more in the fourth—thanks to hits from Carlos Gonzalez and Todd Helton—the Twins’ bullpen slammed the door. Caleb Thielbar, Casey Fien, and Glen Perkins combined for 3.1 innings of hitless relief, preserving the narrow victory. Despite outhitting Colorado 12 to 7, Minnesota left 11 runners on base, giving the Rockies chances to rally late. Game 3 heads to Target Field on Tuesday, where the Rockies will fight to avoid a 3-0 series deficit.

Game 3
At Target Field
2011 Colorado Rockies 3
2014 Minnesota Twins 5
WP: A. Swarzak (1-0) LP: J. Nicasio (0-1)
HR: T. Tulowitski (1)
POG: Danny Samtana (3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R)
2014 Twins Lead Series 3-0

Under the crisp October night sky at Target Field, the 2014 Minnesota Twins edged the 2011 Colorado Rockies 5-3 in Game 3 of the Field of Dreams best-of-seven series, taking a commanding 3-0 series lead. Shortstop Danny Santana once again proved pivotal, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI, and a run scored en route to Player of the Game honors. Despite an early two-run homer by Troy Tulowitzki that gave the Rockies a 2-0 lead in the first, the Twins responded quickly with a relentless offensive approach, plating runs in the first, second, fourth, and sixth innings. Kennys Vargas delivered a key RBI single in the second, while Oswaldo Arcia and Josh Willingham each chipped in with two-out RBI hits to extend the Twins’ lead. Starter Anthony Swarzak battled through 6.1 innings for the win, limiting the Rockies to five hits and three earned runs, while the Minnesota bullpen — Fien, Guerrier, and Perkins — shut the door with 2.2 scoreless innings. With the Rockies’ offense stymied and their pitching staff unable to quiet Minnesota’s bats, the Twins now stand one win away from completing a sweep in this cross-era Field of Dreams showdown. Game 4 is set for Wednesday night in Minneapolis.

Game 4
At Target Field
2011 Colorado Rockies 9
2014 Minnesota Twins 8
WP: M. Belisle (1-0) LP: Y. Pino (0-1) S: R. Brothers (1)
HR: C. Gonzalez (1), T. Helton (1), B. Dozier (1)
POG: Brian Dozier (4-4, HR, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R)
2014 Twins Lead Series 3-1

With their backs against the wall, the 2011 Colorado Rockies clawed back from an early six-run deficit to outslug the 2014 Minnesota Twins 9-8 and stay alive in the Field of Dreams best-of-seven playoff series. After giving up five runs in a brutal second inning and trailing 6-0, Colorado erupted in the top of the fourth with a seven-run explosion, capped by Dexter Fowler’s clutch two-out, bases-clearing triple off Yohan Pino. Todd Helton added a three-run homer in the inning, and later an RBI double in the seventh, finishing with four RBIs on the night. Despite Brian Dozier’s sensational performance—going 4-for-4 with a homer, two doubles, a walk, four RBIs, and three runs—the Twins couldn’t overcome their bullpen’s collapse. The Rockies’ patchwork relief corps held on late, with Rafael Betancourt striking out two in the ninth to seal the save. The win trims Minnesota’s series lead to 3-1 and sends the series back to Target Field for a pivotal Game 5 on Thursday.

Game 5
At Target Field
2011 Colorado Rockies 2
2014 Minnesota Twins 0
WP: U. Jimenez (1-1) LP: P. Hughes (1-1) S: H. Street (1)
HE: T. Tulowitski (2)
POG: Ubaldo Jimenez (7.1 Ip, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 117 P)
2014 Twins Lead Series 3-2

In a crisp, chilly October night at Target Field, the 2011 Colorado Rockies staved off elimination in Game 5 of their Field of Dreams series, blanking the 2014 Minnesota Twins 2-0 to cut the series deficit to 3-2. Ubaldo Jimenez delivered a masterful performance when his team needed it most, hurling 7.1 scoreless innings, scattering five hits, and striking out six without issuing a walk. He outdueled Minnesota's Phil Hughes, who pitched well but was tagged for the only runs of the game in the top of the first—a towering two-run homer off the bat of Troy Tulowitzki. That early blast proved decisive, as Colorado's bullpen, led by Huston Street’s 1.2-inning save, nailed down the shutout. Dexter Fowler and Chris Iannetta chipped in with two hits apiece, and the Rockies’ defense was spotless. Despite a quiet night from their normally potent lineup, the Twins still hold the edge in the best-of-seven showdown, but momentum may be shifting as the series heads back to Denver for Game 6 on Saturday, October 8.

Game 6
At Coors Field
2014 Minnesota Twins 6
2011 Colorado Rockies 5
WP: K. Gibson (2-0) LP: F. Paulino (0-2) S: G. Perkins (3)
HR: J. Giambi (1), C. Gonzalez (2)
POG: Danny Santana (3-4, 2 RBI, 2 2B, 2 R)

On a brisk October night at the Field of Dreams, the 2014 Minnesota Twins edged out the 2011 Colorado Rockies 6-5 in a nail-biting Game 6 to win the series 4-2. The Twins struck early, plating three in the first inning behind Danny Santana’s RBI double and Oswaldo Arcia’s two-run triple, and tacked on two more in the third to chase Rockies starter Felipe Paulino. Santana, who was named Player of the Game, finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored, capping off a spectacular series with a .517 average. Colorado mounted a furious comeback, highlighted by Carlos Gonzalez’s solo homer in the sixth and a dramatic pinch-hit blast by Jason Giambi in the ninth off closer Glen Perkins. But the Twins' bullpen, led by Caleb Thielbar and Perkins, weathered the storm to secure the win. Despite outhitting Minnesota 13-10, the Rockies were undone by missed opportunities, leaving eight men on base. With confetti falling and the temperature hovering in the 30s, Minnesota’s dugout erupted in celebration.

2014 Minnesota Twins Win Series 4 Games To 2

Series MVP:

(15/29, 5 2B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R, 2 SB, .793 SLG, 1.310 OPS)