Detroit Tigers 2012 regular season – MLB Review – Part 9
With a win in Game 3 of the series against the Texas Rangers, it seemed the Detroit Tigers had managed to put things back on track. Manager Jim Leyland wanted his men to continue the good work in the finale to avoid suffering their first loss of the series.
Rangers, however, had other ideas. Showing great energy, fighting abilities and mental toughness, Ron Washington and company outclassed their American League rivals in finer details of the game to claim a deserving 3-1 series win at Comerica Park in Detroit,
Michigan.
Game 4 was played on an extremely competitive note as both teams displayed some top quality baseball skills. For the Rangers, starting pitcher Colby Lewis produced a match winning performance as he gave up seven hits and two runs in seven solid innings to
play a key role in deciding the outcome of the clash.
Tigers’ starter Drew Smyly also had a decent time on the mound as he gave up just five hits and one run in six solid innings but he was unlucky to end up on the losing side.
Closer Thad Weber gave up three hits and one run in one inning of relief to take his first loss of the season.
Adrian Gonzalez reached on a bunt single to pitcher in the 11th to help the Rangers grab a memorable victory. Gonzalez squared to bunt as he hoped to drive in the go ahead run. The ball hit his bat and deflected off his right leg before bouncing
off the ground.
Although the play should have been called a foul ball, Gonzalez’ bunt went for an RBI single. In a post game interview, Gonzalez admitted that the ball hit his knee. Replays confirmed it was a foul but the umpires’ decision stood.
"I saw just what it did: The ball came down and hit him on the back knee. Clearly. Clearly. That's not even a question," Tigers’ Manager Jim Leyland said of an umpiring decision. “The ball clearly hit him, and four guys happened to miss it. That's part of
the game.”
"Bases loaded, nobody out and the right person in the batter's box. The guy who was in the batter's box is one of the guys I do my fundamental stuff with," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "I had warned him that if this situation came up, look for the
squeeze on the first pitch."
Josh Hamilton homered to right in the first inning to put Rangers on the board. Tigers’ outfielder Brennan Boesch smacked a two run home-run in the sixth to put his team 2-1 ahead. Hamilton hit a sacrifice fly to right in the eighth to force the game into
the extra inning.
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