Twins continue unlikely run; Giants force Game 5

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Not only are the Minnesota Twins here to stay, now they're going home -- to open a most unlikely AL championship series.

Brad Radke pitched 6 2-3 dominant innings to beat Oakland again, and the Twins survived a late rally to top the Athletics 5-4 Sunday in the decisive Game 5 of their division series.

The Twins made their first playoff appearance in 11 years despite a tiny payroll and baseball's offseason plan to eliminate them. But facing consecutive elimination games, the Contraction Kids won 11-2 at the Metrodome on Saturday, then crossed half the continent to win the tense clincher about 30 hours later.

"People keep underestimating us, but we've had our backs against the wall all year long," said All-Star catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who hit a two-run homer in the ninth. "We're the Twins. That's the way we like to live, and we're not done yet."

But it didn't happen without drama. After A's closer Billy Koch gave up three runs in the ninth, Mark Ellis hit a three-run homer against Minnesota closer Eddie Guardado to pull Oakland back within a run.

Randy Velarde singled with two outs, but Ray Durham -- who homered earlier and had three hits in the game -- fouled out to second baseman Denny Hocking.

Giants 8, Braves 3

SAN FRANCISCO -- Livan Hernandez boasted about his postseason perfection, then went out and backed it up.

Hernandez won again in October and the San Francisco Giants battered Tom Glavine for the second time to beat the Atlanta Braves and even their NL division series at 2-2.

Barry Bonds drove in the first run and the Giants led all the way, sending both teams back to Atlanta for a decisive Game 5 tonight.

Kevin Millwood, already waiting at home in Atlanta, will pitch for the Braves on three days' rest against a fully rested Russ Ortiz.

Handed a 7-0 lead, Hernandez -- the 1997 NLCS and World Series MVP -- improved to 6-0 in the postseason. The right-hander carried a no-hit bid into the fifth, but Vinny Castilla hit a high popup that dropped between Hernandez, third baseman David Bell and shortstop Rich Aurilia for a single.

Hernandez allowed three runs and eight hits in 8 1-3 innings, striking out six.

-- From wire reports