Detroit Tigers 2012 postseason review – MLB Featured – Part 3
After beating the Oakland Athletics comfortably in the final of American League Division Series, the Detroit Tigers made it to the American League Championship Series for the second straight season.
Jim Leyland and company continued their stunning winning streak against the New York Yankees as well as they secured a comprehensive 6-4 win at Yankee Stadium in New York on October 13 in Game 1 of ALCS.
Tigers’ pitching rotation, once again, played a big part in deciding the outcome of the clash. Starting pitcher Doug Fister showed the stuff he was capable of as he gave up just six hits in six plus scoreless innings, laying the foundation of an impressive
Tigers’ victory. Striking-out batters at regular intervals, Fister created all sorts of problems for New York’s batting line-up.
"They talked about a three-month recovery period," Girardi said.
"It is kind of a flashback to when Mo didn't get up," he further added. "Oh, boy, if he is not getting up, something's wrong. We have seen what he played through in the last month and a half, and the pain he has been in, and how he found a way to get (through)
it. So it brought back a flashback for me."
"We really want to put our heads together and discuss it first, to be honest with you, and get together as a coaching staff and talk about it," Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland said.
Relief pitcher Phil Coke replaced him on the mound in the seventh inning and kept Yankees on the defensive with a perfect inning. However, closer Jose Valverde, who was brilliant for Detroit during the regular season, started his post-season campaign on
a horrible note as he gave up two back-to-back home-runs in the bottom of the ninth and the Yankees force the game into the extra inning.
The Tigers were lucky though as Delmon Young doubled to deep right in the 12th to put his side 5-4 ahead. Andy Dirks reached infield single to the pitcher to help the Tigers wrap up a superb victory.
For the Yankees, starter Andy Pettitte had a horrible time on the mound as he gave up seven hits and two runs in just over six innings.
Tigers’ rotation produced another powerful performance in Game 2 of ALCS at Yankee Stadium, shutting out the Yankees to take a 2-0 series lead. Anibal Sanchez displayed some top quality throwing skills as he tossed up seven scoreless innings while striking-out
seven batters. Closer Phil Coke also pitched with great control and accuracy, helping the Tigers shut-out their American League rivals.
For the Yankees, starter Hiroki Kuroda had a decent time on the mound as he allowed five hits and three runs in just over seven innings. Striking-out 11 batters, he used his fastballs and sliders very effectively. However, despite putting up a solid show,
he failed to take his side to victory.
After both teams failed to score any runs in first six innings of the game, Young grounded into fielder’s choice to shortstop in the seventh inning to break the deadlock. Avisail Garcia singled to right and third baseman Miguel Cabrera singled to right in
the eighth to give Tigers a decisive 3-0 lead.
Continued in Part 4
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