GAME 1 RECAP
IMPACT PLAYER
Framber Valdez, Houston
The 26-year-old portly (5-11, 240 pounds) portsider pitched five shutout innings, giving up only two hits in his postseason debut. He's the first reliever to pitch five shutout innings since Madison Bumgarner did it for the Giants in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.
BY THE NUMBERS
17 Consecutive postseason losses by the Twins, breaking a tie for the major sports record they shared with the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (1975-79).
4-12 The Twins' record in postseason games decided in the last inning.
40 Age of Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz, who became the first player that old in franchise history with a postseason extra-base hit.
30 Postseason appearances by Twins reliever Sergio Romo, fifth among active players.
1 Pitchers in postseason history who have walked in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning. Romo was the first.
2 Rookie catchers — Ryan Jeffers on Tuesday and George Mitterwald in 1969 — who have started in the postseason opener for the Twins.
On deck
The Astros will try to close out the series at noon (ESPN2) — one of a record eight MLB playoff games Wednesday. Their probable starter is righthander Jose Urquidy (1-1, 2.73 ERA). He pitched in only five games — all September starts — and went at least six innings in the last four. Twins righthander Jose Berrios (5-4, 4.00) will try for his first postseason victory in his third start. He lost to the Yankees in 2017 and 2019.
CHRIS MILLER