Detroit Tigers 2012 regular season review – Part 23
After taking a forgettable 0-6 loss in the series opener, the Pittsburgh Pirates gave Detroit Tigers taste of their own medicine in Game 2 on May 19, 2012. Pirates’ outfielder Andrew McCutchen played a big part in deciding the outcome of the clash as he
smacked back-to-back home-runs to help his team prevail in a thrilling encounter.
Starting pitcher A.J. Burnett created all sorts of problems for the Tigers batting line-up as he gave up just two runs in six solid innings. His counterpart from Detroit, Drew Smyly paid the ultimate price for his errors, allowing seven hits and four runs
in just over four innings.
Tigers’ relief pitchers Brayan Villarreal, Phil Coke and Joaquin Benoit combined to toss up three scoreless innings but the offence was unable to put enough runs on the board.
"I really wouldn't say I had real tough at-bats against Verlander. I had some decent at-bats, but he just got the best of me," McCutchen said. "You just show up tomorrow and get 'em the next day."
"We joke in the dugout, 'Why do you throw this guy a strike?'" Burnett said. "But some pitches he's hitting are good pitches too, so it just shows you what kind of player Cutch is."
"I feel comfortable being a Pittsburgh Pirate," Burnett said. "I just feel like I can be more myself, and do more of the things I want to do on the mound, and have fun."
Slugger Prince Fielder belted a two run home-run to right in the third inning to level the score 2-2. Third baseman Miguel Cabrera scored on a passed ball in the seventh to keep Tigers’ hopes alive but the night belonged to the Pirates who showed nerves
of steel under pressure to level the series 1-1.
Max Scherzer put things back on the right track in Game 3 of the series. Striking-out 15 batters, he fell just one short of Tigers’ record. Overall, he gave up two runs on four hits in seven solid innings to play a key role in deciding the outcome of the
contest.
Relief pitchers Octavio Dotel, Phil Coke and Josh Benoit also made useful contributions to help the Tigers secure a much needed series victory. After the Tigers took the early 1-0 lead, Jhonny Peralta homered to right in the fifth inning to put Tigers on
the board.
Delmon Young also had a great time on the plate as he singled to centre in the seventh inning to level the score 2-2. Alex Avila grabbed an RBI single to centre to stretch the lead to 4-2, which proved to be sufficient for the Tigers to complete a deserving
series victory. For the Pirates, Rod Barajas and Neil Walker homered but their effort went in vain.
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