MINNEAPOLIS — The Metrodome erupted in a jet-like roar as Carlos Gomez zoomed home with the winning run to finish off an AL Central race — and a thrilling tiebreaker — that didn’t want to end.
The Twins wouldn’t quit, while the Tigers finished their historic fade. And there was little time for the Twins to celebrate, because the Yankees were waiting.
Alexi Casilla singled home the winning run with one out in the 12th inning and the Twins rallied for a 6-5 victory Tuesday night, completing a colossal collapse for the Tigers.
“This is the most unbelievable game I’ve ever played or seen,” Twins shortstop Orlando Cabrera said.
As Gomez scored from second base — well ahead of a late throw from right field — Homer Hankies spiraled. The Twins celebrated and scrambled: They had 21 hours to get ready for Game 1 of the AL playoffs at Yankee Stadium against New York ace CC Sabathia. He will face rookie Brian Duensing.
The Tigers became the first team in history to blow a three- game lead with four games left.
“I guess it’s fitting to say there was a loser in this game because we lost the game, but it’s hard for me to believe there was a loser in this game,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “Both teams played their hearts out. You can’t ask for anything more than that.”
The Twins overcame a seven- game gap in the final month, went 17-4 to pull even on the final weekend and won their fifth division title in eight years.
“We just feel like we have nothing to lose, man,” outfielder Denard Span said.
Both teams had chance after chance to end it earlier, and each club scored in the 10th. Casilla was thrown out at the plate to end that inning by left fielder Ryan Raburn after tagging up.
The Tigers thought they had taken the lead in the 12th. But with the bases loaded, plate umpire Randy Marsh ruled that Brandon Inge was not hit by a pitch by Bobby Keppel. The replay appeared to show the pitch grazing Inge’s uniform.
Keppel, Minnesota’s eighth pitcher, loaded the bases with one out in the 12th. After the noncall on Inge, second baseman Nick Punto then scooped Inge’s grounder and fired home in time to get the runner on the force. Then Keppel struck out Gerald Laird to squelch that rally.
“No matter what we did, it seems like it wasn’t meant to be,” Inge said. “This is the best game, by far, that I’ve ever played in no matter the outcome.”
It was the first AL tiebreaker to go to extra innings, making up for Minnesota’s disappointment last year when it lost 1-0 in Chicago to the White Sox in an AL Central tiebreaker.
The Yankees were 7-0 against Minnesota this season.
“We’re not afraid. I can guarantee you that,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.
Division series
Best of five; all games on TBS; * if necessary
DODGERS VS. ST. LOUIS
Today: St. Louis (Carpenter 17-4) at Los Angeles (Wolf 11-7), 7:37 p.m.
Thursday: St. Louis (Wainwright 19-8) at Los Angeles (Kershaw 8-8), 4:07 p.m.
Saturday: Los Angeles at St. Louis (Piñeiro 15-12), 4:07 p.m.
*Sunday: Los Angeles at St. Louis
*Tuesday, Oct. 13: St. Louis at Los Angeles
YANKEES VS. TWINS
Today: Minnesota (Duensing 5-2 or Blackburn 11-11) at New York (Sabathia 19-8), 4:07 p.m.
Friday: Minnesota at New York (Burnett 13-9), 4:07 p.m.
Sunday: New York (Pettitte 14-8) at Minnesota
*Monday: New York at Minnesota
*Wednesday, Oct. 14: Minnesota at New York
ANGELS VS. RED SOX
Thursday: Boston (Lester 15-8) at Los Angeles (Lackey 11-8), 7:37 p.m. p.m.
Friday: Boston (Beckett 17-6) at Los Angeles (Weaver 16-8), 7:37 p.m.
Sunday: Los Angeles (Kazmir 10-9) at Boston (Buchholz 7-4)
*Monday: Los Angeles (Saunders 16-7) at Boston (Lester 15-8)
*Wednesday, Oct. 14: Boston at Los Angeles
