Detroit Tigers 2012 regular season review – Part 20
Detroit Tigers took humiliating defeats in Game 2 and Game 3 of their four match series against the Oakland Athletics. Manager Jim Leyland wanted his team to regroup and fight back to put things back on the winning track and that is exactly what the Tigers
did in the finale on May 13, 2012.
Starting pitcher Justin Verlander showed just why he is considered as one of the best pitchers in the game. The 2011 American League Most Valuable Player and Cy Young winner allowed just two hits and one run in seven sharp innings. Striking-out batters at
regular intervals, he created all sorts of problems for the A’s batting line-up.
"I really don't know what happened. It's kind of been happening for me all season long and I've been trying to deal with it and figure it out," he said. "Obviously I want to go back, but the risk-reward, seventh inning ... there's no point in going out there
and risking it and maybe something serious happens. If I could, I would. Maybe if it's the World Series I'd have gone back out there, who cares."
Relief pitchers Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde supported him well as they combined to toss up two shut-out innings and the Tigers secured a comfortable 3-1 win to level the series 1-1.
A’s starter Jarrod Parker had a forgettable time on the mound as he allowed six hits and two runs in just over five innings to take his first loss of the season.
Third baseman Miguel Cabrera continued his excellent hitting streak as he singled to centre in the fifth inning to break the dead lock and put side on the board. Austin Jackson walked in the sixth and Cabrera earned an RBI single to left in the bottom of
the ninth to ensure the Tigers reach home safely.
However, the Tigers were unable to come up with a similar performance in Game 1 of their two match series against Chicago White Sox on May 14. Starting pitcher Drew Smyly had another poor outing as he allowed five hits and four runs in just five innings.
Relief pitcher Luke Putkonen continued to struggle on the mound, giving up four hits and three runs in just 0.1 inning of relief.
Prince Fielder doubled to deep centre in the first inning to put Tigers on the board. Delmon Young added a double to deep right centre and Jhonny Peralta walked in the third to extend the Tigers’ lead to 4-2.
However, the White Sox were determined to start the series on a winning note. Dayan Viciedo smacked a grand slam in the fifth to help his side come back from behind to clinch a thrilling win at U.S. Cellular Field.
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