Detroit Tigers 2012 postseason review – MLB Featured – Part 2
After beating the Oakland Athletics comprehensively in first two games of the American League Division Series, the Detroit Tigers flew to California for the next two games.
Game 3 was played at O.co Coliseum in Oakland and the A’s staged an emphatic come back to stay alive. Oakland’s starting pitcher Brett Anderson played a big part in deciding the outcome of the clash. Against one of the best batting line-ups in Major League
Baseball, Anderson did not show any signs of nerves as he gave up just two hits in six innings while striking-out six batters.
"You see him hit it and you just kind of put your head down a little bit because you think you just gave up a homer," Anderson said. "Then you see him plow through there and catch the ball and it kind of kick-starts you to go out there and make pitches."
Relief pitchers Ryan Cook, Sean Doolittle and Grant combined to toss up three scoreless innings to help the A’s shut-out the Tigers.
Tigers’ starter Anibal Sanchez also had a decent time on the mound as he allowed just five hits and two runs in six plus innings to keep his side in the contest but the night belonged to the A’s who held on to their two run easily to keep the series alive.
A’s pitching rotation dominated the Tigers’ batting line-up in Game 4 as well. Starting pitcher A.J. Griffin kept Tigers on the defensive as he gave up two runs in five sharp innings.
For the Tigers’ Max Scherzer started the game and kept his side in the game as he gave up three hits and one run in five plus innings. Striking-out batters at regular intervals, he looked on top of his game play.
Tigers led the score 3-1 going into the ninth inning and it seemed they will hold on to their lead comfortably to claim the ALDS title but that did not turn out to be the case.
Closer Jose Valverde, who looked in superb form throughout the regular season, failed to control his nerves under pressure and the A’s made a stunning come back to force the series into the decider.
Seth Smith doubled to deep right centre and centre fielder Coco Crisp singled to right against Valverde to help the A’s secure a memorable victory.
"It's amazing," Crisp said. "The guys in front of me obviously did a fantastic job of getting on base. ... This club, we've been battling the whole year, giving 100 percent, and these walk-offs have been our MO this year."
With two consecutive wins, the A’s had an excellent chance to complete a thrilling ALDS win against the Tigers in Game 5. However, in the finale they faced Tigers’ best pitcher Justin Verlander, who had dismantled them in series opener.
Verlander showed just why he is one of the most dangerous pitchers in the game as he pitched his first complete game of the post season, allowing just four hits while striking-out 11 batters. A’s tried hard but they had no answers to some high quality throwing
by Verlander.
Austin Jackson made the most of scoring opportunities early on to give Tigers a 3-0 lead. Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Delmon Young also made valuable contributions as the Tigers annihilated the A’s to reach American League Championship Series.
Continued in Part 3
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