Looking back at the wacky, exhilarating 1st inning of the AL Wild Card Game

The Twins and Yankees didn't waste any time stirring the 2017 MLB postseason into a frenzy during Tuesday night's AL Wild Card Game. Luis Severino and Ervin Santana were two of the American League's top pitchers in 2017 by ERA, but pitching would not be the story of this showdown.
Severino seemed to be a formidable foe, but as the Twins prepared to bat in the top of the first, the blog Twinkie Town had a premonition.

Lead off home would be nice, Brian Dozier.

— Twinkie Town (@TwinkieTown) October 4, 2017

Brian Dozier quickly obliged, clubbing the first leadoff homer to open a postseason in baseball history. He was pumped up, and Twinkie Town was grateful!

Thank you, Brian Dozier. Thank you.

— Twinkie Town (@TwinkieTown) October 4, 2017

Shortly thereafter, Eddie Rosario sent a ball out of Yankee Stadium to put the Twins up, 3-0. Both the Twins and their fans went crazy.

"DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING, SINGING THE SONG OF ANGRY MEN..." pic.twitter.com/ECyTz0qmQY

— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) October 4, 2017

pic.twitter.com/AEjPBbvOvn

— Bill (@Bill_TPA) October 4, 2017

On the Yankees' side, however? Severino was gone from the game after recording just one out, and it was not going well at all.

Not even through the top of the first and the Yankees already have Joe Girardi contemplating life #WildCard pic.twitter.com/TtHGtSinZh

— What the Sports (@realwtsports) October 4, 2017

Given the power of their offense, though, all was not lost. Brett Gardner led off the home half of the first against Santana with a walk, Aaron Judge singled and Didi Gregorius stepped to the plate with one out. He delivered with a three-run blast, and the celebration was on.

Suddenly, the Yankees were right back in the game at 3-3, and their fans lost it.

That's SIR Didi Gregorius to you and me.

— Alan Sepinwall (@sepinwall) October 4, 2017

pic.twitter.com/EZAdiIfclM

— I'mNotAHRHitter (@ImNotAHRHitter) October 4, 2017

Let's go Yankees pic.twitter.com/XqfdbPdngU

— Big Nick Turturro (@NickTurturro1) October 4, 2017

By the time the dust had settled, Santana had escaped without another run scoring, but it was an incredible ride. It lasted 81 pitches and saw six runs cross the plate on six hits, half of which went over the Yankee Stadium wall.
Or, to add a visual:

After the first inning, an AL Wild Card game update: pic.twitter.com/PUyLE2BHMq

— SB Nation MLB (@SBNationMLB) October 4, 2017

The Yankees went on to win, 8-4. Next up, they'll face the Indians in Game 1 of the ALDS, starting on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.