2011 MLB Postseason Roundup: American League Championship Series Part-1
ALCS Game-1: Detroit Tigers 2 - Texas Rangers 3
The Texas Rangers defeated the Detroit Tigers 3-2 in Game-1 of 2011 American League Championship Series (ALCS) on October 8 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.
The Rangers started well and finished the game with style. The entire Rangers’ batters played with immense energy especially as they outplayed the Tigers’ star pitcher Justin Verlander. Rangers scored all of their three runs off Verlander’s flimsy pitching.
Verlander, who could not impress in his four innings spell, also spoke to the media regarding his individual performance and said, “I just didn't have it. My location wasn't very good at all.”
David Murphy played a key role in the Rangers’ win when he drove in a triple RBI (Runs Batted In) in the second innings and helped his team-mate Mike Napoli to complete a run. Later, Nelson Cruz smashed a homer to left and gave the Rangers a 3-0 lead at
the bottom of fourth inning that proved enough for the Rangers, who sealed an easy win over their American League opponents.
Though, the Tigers’ tried to comeback in the top of the fifth inning when Austin Jackson drove in two runs, but the Rangers came out with more inspirational performance and won the game with style.
ALCS Game-2: Detroit Tigers 3- Texas Rangers 7
The Texas Rangers edge past the Detroit Tigers 7-3 in Game-2 of the 2011 American League Championship Series (ALCS) on Monday, October 10 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas and took a 2-0 advantage in the best of seven series match-up.
Ranger’s star hitter Nelson Cruz smashed a first game-ending grand slam in post-season history in the 11th inning and helped his team to dominate the Detroit Tigers with great style.
“We didn't quite get it done," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "We haven't been able to come up with any big hits. That's really hard. We've had some opportunities, but up to this point, we just haven't been able to do that.”
Rangers started well and continued their brilliant thrust on the Tigers especially down the stretch in the 11th inning. On the other hand, the Tigers seemed tired and never showed any resilience in the dying stages of the game.
Texas got off with a good start and took the early lead when Josh Hamilton smashed a double RBI and helped Elvis Andrus to score. Later, he himself completed a run off Adrian Beltre’s double to right.
Tigers’ Ryan Raburn smashed a homer to left while Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez completed their runs as Detroit took a one-run advantage 3-2 in the top of the third inning.
Before smashing a grand-slam in the 11th inning, Nelson Cruz’s homered to left at the bottom of the seventh inning and gave some decent support to the Rangers’ roster, who eventually won the game 7-3.
Game 2 turned out to be a nightmare for the Detroit Tigers as they seemed to struggle against the Rangers powerful pitching. The Rangers will be satisfied with their performance as they managed to dominate Detroit in all aspects of the game. The Tigers seem
to be struggling on offence as the Rangers’ pitching line-up is giving them a hard time during the Series. However, Detroit is not to be underestimated as they will come out fighting in the next game.
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