Twins end historic playoff win drought as Major League Baseball post-season begins

04.10.2023 - 05:41 arabnews.com

WASHINGTON: Royce Lewis smashed home runs in his first two playoff opportunities and the Minnesota Twins snapped the longest post-season win drought by games in American sport history, defeating Toronto 3-1 on Tuesday in a Major League Baseball series opener.

The Twins had lost 18 consecutive playoff contests, the most in any major North American sports league, since beating the New York Yankees in the first game of the 2004 American League division series.

They were also swept out of the MLB playoffs in 2006, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2019 and 2020. Minnesota’s victory ended the epic post-season futility run and gave the host Twins a 1-0 lead in the American League best-of-three first round series, which continues on Wednesday. “It means a lot,” Lewis said of snapping the historic drought. “And it means a lot that the fans encouraged us and they had that energy for us.

They brought it and we brought it for them.” Also winning their AL playoff opener were the Texas Rangers, who blanked host Tampa Bay 4-0 as US pitcher Jordan Montgomery struck out six without allowing a walk over seven shutout innings.

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LONDON : Brentford beat 10-man Burnley 3-0 in the Premier League on Saturday with strike partners Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo back on target to give the West Londoners a first home win of the season and end a six game victory drought in all competitions.

Argentina inspired by historic 2022 win ahead of New Zealand test

Argentina have invoked their historic victory over New Zealand last year in their quest to pull off a seismic upset by winning Friday's World Cup semi-final. The Pumas prevailed 25-18 in Christchurch to topple the All Blacks for the first time and skipper Julian Montoya says that has instilled the belief that they can engineer a dramatic upset at the Stade de France. "As soon as you get on the field you believe you can win. It's true we have some firsts under our belts," Montoya said. "We were the first Argentina team to beat New Zealand and that confirms we can beat anyone. "I have full confidence in our team and our players. This is the moment to play the best game of our lives and give everything." The All Blacks are known for their ability to conjure spectacular tries but Argentina head coach Michael Cheika insists they are also accomplished at the less glamorous parts of the game. "New Zealand have always been an example in rugby, a benchmark. They make you think of high-level skills in a really open game but there are always threats in the line-out, mauls and rucks," Cheika said. "In a World Cup semi-final they are dangerous everywhere. We have been training as best we can, we will be ready. We'll see what happens." Argentina have made one change to the side that defeated Wales 29-17 in the quarter-finals, bringing in Gonzalo Bertranou for Tomas Cubelli at scrum-half. Matias Alemanno, Agustin Creevy, Facundo Isa, Tomas Lavanini, Nicolas Sanchez, Guido Petti and Montoya are the survivors from the Pumas' last World Cup semi-final against Australia in 2015.

Matthieu Pavon ends wait for win at Open de Espana in Madrid

Matthieu Pavon coasted to his breakthrough DP World Tour win in his 185th start with a four-shot wire-to-wire victory at the Open de Espana in Madrid.

MLB playoffs 2023: Is Phillies-Braves baseball's best rivalry? - ESPN

PHILADELPHIA — Over the past two years, Phillies-Braves has transformed into one of baseball's best rivalries, in the vein of Yankees-Red Sox, Giants-Dodgers, or Cardinals-Cubs.

Ice Hockey-Bedard skates into NHL spotlight as new season begins

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