In 2009, the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers both sat atop the American League Central with 86-76 records after each played their originally scheduled 162 games. If that happened today, tiebreakers would decide the winner of the division. But back then, they had to play a Game 163 to decide the American League Central champion.
The game was originally scheduled for Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, at the Metrodome. But because the Minnesota Vikings had a Monday night game against the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome, which was then home to both the Twins and the Vikings, Game 163 was moved to Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Twins' Alexi Casilla played hero in Game 163 vs. Tigers
Twins fans will remember that Tuesday for the rest of their lives. Alexi Casilla hit a walk-off single off Fernando Rodney in the 12th inning to give the Twins a 6-5 victory, knocking out the Tigers and securing a date with the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.
Alexi Casilla drove in Carlos Gómez for the most exciting run in #MNTwins regular season history in the bottom of the 12th of Game 163 on this date in 2009.
— The Twins Almanac (@TwinsAlmanac) October 6, 2026
After falling behind, they tied it up in the bottom of the 10th off Fernando Rodney, who was still out there in the 12th. pic.twitter.com/mC1GpPnlxU
The Tigers took a 3-0 lead in the third inning of the game, with Miguel Cabrera following a Magglio Ordóñez RBI single with a two-run home run.
The Twins scored their first run of the game when Matt Tolbert scored on a throwing error by right-handed pitcher Rick Porcello in the third inning.
Jason Kubel homered to right-center field in the sixth inning, lowering the Tigers' lead to one run. Orlando Cabrera hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning, giving Minnesota a 4-3 lead.
Today in 2009 the #MNTwins trade for Orlando Cabrera…he was an absolute sparkplug for the 2009 Twins. His Game 163 HR was incredibly important. pic.twitter.com/2x45Ccwy6T
— Jeff (@MNTwinsZealot) July 31, 2026
Ordóñez quickly tied the game with a solo home run in the eighth inning. The game remained tied 4-4 after nine innings.
Brandon Inge gave the Tigers a 5-4 lead in the tenth inning with an RBI double. On a 0-2 count, Tolbert tied the game with an RBI single off Rodney in the bottom of the tenth inning.
Matt Tolbert turns 43 today. In Game 163 he had an unlikely single on an 0-2 count driving in Cuddyer to tie it in the 10th. One of the more shocking & forgotten plays in Twins history.
— Jeff (@MNTwinsZealot) May 4, 2025
pic.twitter.com/4x1AhXt5YG
The game remained in a 5-5 deadlock until Casilla hit the RBI single in the bottom of the 12th, driving in Carlos Gómez.
Scott Baker made the start on the mound for the Twins. He allowed three runs over six innings. Minnesota used eight pitchers in the game.
Porcello allowed just one earned run over 5 2/3 innings. The Tigers used five different pitchers. Notably, Rodney pitched three innings out of the bullpen.
Unfortunately, the Yankees swept the Twins 3-0 in the ALDS. New York went on to win the World Series. Still, Twins Territory will always remember Game 163.
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