Detroit Tigers 2012 regular season – MLB Review – Part 15
The Detroit Tigers lost to the Kansas City Royals 2-3 in a thrilling Game 2 of a two match series. Manager Jim Leyland wanted his team to regroup and fight back in their next three game series against the Chicago White Sox and that is exactly what the Tigers
did in the series opener on May 5.
Showing great determination and mental toughness, the Tigers outclassed their American League Central Division rivals in finer details of the game. Starting pitcher Drew Smyly pitched with great control and accuracy as he gave up just two runs on seven hits
in six solid innings. Striking-out seven batters, he created all sorts of problems for the White Sox’s batting line-up.
Relief pitcher Octavio Dotel, Duane Below and Jose Valverde all made valuable contributions as the Tigers held on to their slim lead to take 1-0 series lead.
For Chicago, starter Jake Peavy gave up seven hits and three runs while striking-out six batters. Relief pitcher Matt Thornton gave up the tie breaking single in the bottom of the ninth to take his first loss of the season.
Ryan Raburn hit a sacrifice fly to centre in the second inning to put Tigers on the board. Outfielder Alex Avila smacked a solo home-run to left in the fourth inning to give Tigers a crucial 2-1 lead. White Sox bounced back strongly, scoring back-to-back
runs in the sixth and the seventh to claim a vital 4-2 lead but the night belonged to the Tigers.
"I didn't hit it too much to right field last year, so this year it feels really good for me to hit the ball to right field," Peralta said. "I don't worry about the homer. I try to hit the ball, make good contact. ... When you make good contact, the ball
goes no matter what."
"I'm just happy I'm staying consistent. It's a long, long season," Smyly said. "I feel like all my pitches pretty much, expect my changeup -- I've been working on that a lot -- but they've been right where I want them."
Third baseman Miguel Cabrera homered to centre in the eighth and Jhonny Peralta homered to right centre in the ninth to give Tigers a memorable victory.
Despite having the home conditions working in their favour, the Tigers were unable to find winning ways in Game 2 of the series. White Sox showed nerves of steel under pressure to stay alive in the series.
Tigers’ starter Max Scherzer gave up four hits and one run in seven innings while striking-out nine batters. Relief pitcher Valverde had another poor outing as he gave up two runs and two hits in the ninth.
For the White Sox, Adam Dunn belted the ninth inning home-run to take his side to victory.
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