Twins' postseason nightmares continue with loss to Astros

Minnesota Twins' Max Kepler scores on a double by Nelson Cruz in the third inning against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

MINNEAPOLIS _ The trouble just won't end.

The Twins extended their big-league record losing streak in the postseason on Tuesday, losing Game 1 of their best-of-three wild-card playoff series to the Houston Astros 4-1 at Target Field.

That's 17 straight playoff losses for the Twins.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (18) throws the third strike to Houston Astros right fielder Josh Reddick (22) in the fourth inning of Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Jeff Wheeler/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Reliever Sergio Romo walked Jose Altuve with the bases loaded and two outs in top of the ninth, giving Houston a 2-1 edge. The run was unearned because of Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco's errant two-out throw to second as he tried to get a forceout. Caleb Thielbar relieved Romo and gave up a two-run single to Michael Brantley.

The Twins took a 1-0 lead in the third when Max Kepler scored from first on Nelson Cruz's double to the right field wall. Kepler, who had walked, barely got in past the tag of Astros catcher Martin Maldonado.

The Twins didn't get another hit through eight innings off starter Zack Greinke or reliever Framber Valdez.

Minnesota Twins pitcher Kenta Maeda in the third inning against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

The Astros tied the game off reliever Tyler Duffey in the seventh. Josh Reddick singled, went to second on Maldonado's hot shot off the glove of Twins third baseman Marwin Gonzalez and scored on George Springer's single.

Twins starter Kenta Maeda went five innings, strikeout out five and giving up two hits, and left with the 1-0 lead.

The teams meet again Wednesday at noon.

Target Field head groundskeeper Larry DiVito works on the mound in the fifth inning of Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series between the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Minnesota Twins pitcher Kenta Maeda reacts after getting the final out in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Sergio Romo throws a football to warm up while Trevor May (65) does the same with a baseball before the start of Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series between the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Jeff Wheeler/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) throws out Minnesota Twins' Miguel Sano in the first inning in Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Minnesota Twins right fielder Max Kepler (26) is safe at home ahead of the tag of Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado (15) in the third inning of Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Jeff Wheeler/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

A couple of Minnesota Twins trainers play football while the pitchers warm up before the start of Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series between the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Jeff Wheeler/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Sergio Romo catches a football during early warm ups before the start of Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series between the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Jeff Wheeler/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco could not reach a ball hit by Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker in the fourth inning of Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Minnesota Twins' Max Kepler celebrates after scoring on a double by Nelson Cruz in the third inning against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

The national anthem flyover before the start of Game 1 of the MLB Wild Card Series between the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)