It was the eighth one-game playoff in major league history and the first in the AL since 1995 when Seattle beat the California Angels 9-1 to win the AL West. Playing for the Mariners in that game was Griffey and Chicago bench coach Joey Cora.

“Our expectations are to get to the playoffs and go to the World Series every year,” Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. “It just was a night where we couldn’t score any runs. It’s really tough right now and we’ll just have to live with it.”

A late-season slide by the White Sox began at the Metrodome a week ago. The White Sox entered a three-game series with a 2½-game lead in the division but the Twins pulled off a sweep to take over first place.

Chicago came home and lost two more to the Indians but was able to stay close because the Twins dropped two in a row to the Royals at the Metrodome. Both teams won Sunday, leaving Minnesota up a half-game. The White Sox had to beat Detroit in a rain-delayed makeup game Monday to force Tuesday night’s tiebreaker.

“We bounce back every time we are against the wall,” Guillen said.

Their styles are different. The White Sox relied more on power, the Twins on speed. But going into the game they not only were 88-74, they had identical marks at home (53-28), on the road (35-46) and in their division (43-29).

“That probably says we should be playing this game,” Gardenhire said before the game.

The Twins endured the departures of star center fielder Torii Hunter and ace Johan Santana by using speed with young players such as Denard Span and Carlos Gomez, sound fundamentals that are taught throughout their system and clutch hitting.

Joe Mauer went 0-for-3 Tuesday night but still won his second AL batting title at .328. Morneau, who drove in 129 runs, slumped in the final week.

The White Sox overcame late injuries to surprising star Carlos Quentin, who was leading the AL in homers when he broke his right wrist by hitting it on his bat in frustration Sept. 1, and third baseman Joe Crede, who had back problems. Neither is expected back for the playoffs.

Notes: The White Sox are the first team in major league history to win their final three games against three different opponents, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. ... The crowd of 40,354 was the largest for a White Sox regular-season game since Aug. 4, 2003.

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Handicapping the Halladay chase Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay DeMarco: Red Sox should take measured approach CTB: A prediction — Lackey will sign with Yankees   CTB: Indians unlikely to deal Wood this offseason   CTB: Mets could be interested in Royals’ Guilllen Complete list of free agents Circling the Bases: Blogging on news, rumors, buzz SCORES, SCHEDULES, STANDINGS, STATS Latest baseball videos Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: