Detroit Tigers 2012 postseason review – MLB Featured – Part 4
After beating the New York Yankees quite comfortably at Yankee Stadium in first two games of the American League Champion Series, the Detroit Tigers headed to Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan for the next two games.
Jim Leyland and company started from where they left off, edging past the Yankees 2-1 in Game 3 to claim a vital 3-0 lead in the series. Tigers’ hard throwing ace Justin Verlander did not allow the Yankees’ hitters to breathe as he pitched eight plus sharp
innings. Overall, he gave up just three hits and one run while striking-out three batters.
"I have seen a lot of teams shuffle around a lot of lineups when I am out there, so it doesn't really faze me one way or the other if those guys are in there or not," Verlander said.
"I've got faith in our bullpen. Coke did a great job in New York. He's done a great job for us all year, so I was OK with it," he further added. "And I was up around 130 pitches or so, so I don't think they're just going to leave me out there and sacrifice
the rest of the postseason just for this game."
Relief pitcher Phil Coke continued the good work in the ninth as he held off the Yankees to give his side a deserving victory. For New York, starter Phil Hughes struggled to find rhythm, allowing three hits and one run before suffering an injury.
Relief pitchers David Phelps, Clay Rapada, Cody Eppley, Boone Logan and Joba Chamberlain combined to give up just one run in five innings. However, the night belonged to the Tigers who held on to their one run lead to earn their third straight win against
the mighty Yankees.
Delmon Young continued his heroic hitting form as he homered to left in the fourth inning to break the deadlock and put his side on the board. Miguel Cabrera also made his presence felt, adding a double to deep right centre in the fifth inning. Shortstop
Eduardo Nunez drove in the only Yankees’ run as he smacked a solo home-run to left in the ninth inning.
With momentum on their side, the Tigers continued their domination in Game 4 of the series as well. Max Scherzer put up a fine performance in front of Tigers’ home crowd as he allowed just two hits and one run in five plus innings to give Detroit complete
control of the contest.
Relief pitchers Drew Smyly, Octavio Dotel and Coke all made valuable contributions as the Tigers restricted the Yankees to just one run. Yankees’ ace C.C. Sabathia paid the ultimate price for his errors on the mound, allowing a season high 11 hits and six
runs in just over three innings.
Yankees’ fans had great expectations from him before the start of the game but the Tigers showed no respect for Sabathia as they scored against him at regular intervals.
Delmon Young singled to right in the first inning to open the scoring for Detroit. Avisail Garcia reached on infield single in the third to double Tigers’ lead 2-0.
However, the start of the show was Jhonny Peralta who smacked two home-runs to help his side post a big total on the board. Miguel Cabrera and Austin Jackson also homered as the Tigers completed a deserving series sweep at Comerica Park.
Continued in Part 5
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