[FuzzyRussianHat]

The 1895 American League Championship Series was the second trip for the Twins, who were defeated in 1889. At 106-56, they have the best record in AL history. Washington at 93-69 is the defending World Series champ and upset 98-win Milwaukee the prior year in the ALCS. Minnesota won the regular season series 5-1 against the Nationals.

Minnesota held on 4-3 in a back-and-forth first game. In the ninth inning, Washington got one back and got the tying run in scoring position, but couldn’t even it up. The Twins went ahead with a pair of solo home runs in the fifth inning.



Game two had another tight Twins win with a 7-6 margin. Minnesota pulled ahead with a four-run sixth inning which included a bases-clearing double by Dick Johnston. He was 3-4 with a homer, two doubles, and five RBI. Washington’s Heinie Reitz had his own bases-clearing double in the seventh to make it a one-run game, but that is as close as they got.



The reigning champs Washington won game three at home 3-1 with a stellar performance from Jouett Meekin. He tossed a complete game, allowing five hits, one a solo homer, and striking out nine over 111 pitches.



Minnesota won game four on the road 3-1 to take the 3-1 series lead. Frank Meinke gave up one run over seven innings of work, then Hank O’Day grabbed the save. Solo runs in the eighth and ninth put the Twins ahead.



The Twins secured their first-ever pennant on the road with a 4-0 victory in game five, dethroning the defending champion Washington. Brownie Foreman tossed a four-hit shutout, striking out 11 and walking three. Dick Johnston was 3-5 with three RBI and a solo homer. The 32-year RF was the series MVP, going 10-19 with four homers and 10 RBI.