The next match up in the play in round features the #18 seed Minnesota Twins vs the #17 seed Houston Astros. The Twins finished 73-89 and finished 4th in the AL West while the Astros finished 74-88 and finished 5th in the NL West. Game 1 is a showdown between Roger Erickson (14-13 3.96 Grade 8) vs. JR Richard (18-11 3.11 Grade 14). Pitchers would control the early game as through 4 the Twins had scratched across a lone run and led 1-0. The Twins would open the game up some in the 4th with back to back homers, a 2 run shot by Willie Norwood and a solo shot from Roy Smalley. Leading 4-0 the Astros finally dent the scoreboard with a run in the 5th and a solo shot from Pitcher JR Richard (he hit one during the regular season). That was all the offenses could muster as Mike Marshall comes on to close the game for the Twins 4-2.
Final Score: Twins 4, Astros 2
WP: Roger Erickson (1-0)
LP: JR Richard (0-1)
Save: Mike Marshall (1)
HR’s: Minnesota – Willie Norwood (1), Roy Smalley (1) Houston – JR Richard (1)
Game 2 in Houston starters Zahn vs Lemongello