October 25, 1987 at the Metrodome
Twins 4, Cardinals 2
Twins Win Best of Seven Game Series 4-3
The Twins won their first World Series in a dramatic come from behind win in game seven over the Cardinals. The Twins ace, Frank Viola, got the start for the Twins while Magrane threw for the Cardinals.
Things got off to a rough start as the Cardinals drew first blood. Viola was tagged for two runs on four hits in the second inning and before the Twins could even come up to bat for the second time, they were down 2-0.
The Twins answered quickly though. Don Baylor led off the inning and he got hit by a pitch. Tom Brunansky singled before Ken Hrbek struck out. Tim Laudner then singled to left field and Don Baylor tried to score but he was gunned down by Vince Coleman. Steve Lombardozzi came through with a clutch single that scored Brunansky though and that run cut the Cardinals lead in half.
Neither team scored until the Twins came to bat in the fifth inning. Dan Gladden led off the inning with a ground out before Greg Gagne singled. Whitey Herzog went to his pen and he brought in Cox to pitch for Magrane but the move backfired. Kirby Puckett was the first batter Cox faced and Kirby doubled home Gagen to tie the game up. From there, the Twins scoring was limited by some questionable base running mistakes. Kirby Puckett was caught stealing third and then on a Don Baylor single, Gary Gaetti was gunned down at the plate to end the inning.
The very next inning, the Twins took their first lead of the game. Tom Brunansky and Kent Hrbek drew back to back walks and Herzog once again went to his pen and he went with Tim Worrell. Tim Laudner popped out for the first out and then Roy Smalley walked to load the bases. Dan Gladden struck out for out number two but Greg Gagne singled home the go ahead run to make it a 3-2 ball game.
The Twins added a fourth run on an RBI double by Dan Gladden but it turned out to be unneccesary. After the two run, four hit second inning, the Cardinals managed just a pair of hits off of Frank Viola and Jeff Reardon. Frank Viola was named the MVP of the World series with his two wins and for the first time, The Minnesota Twins were world champions.
