Detroit Tigers 2012 regular season review – Part 33
The Detroit Tigers lost to the Cleveland Indians 4-2 in a thrilling encounter in Game 1 of a three match series. A similar fate awaited them in Game 2, which the Indians won comprehensively 9-6. Manager Jim Leyland wanted his team to regroup and fight back
to avoid another humiliating series sweep and that is exactly what the Tigers did in the finale on June 7.
Showing great determination, fighting spirits and mental toughness, the Tigers outplayed their American League rivals in finer details of the game to snap their losing streak at Comerica Park in Detroit.
Tigers’ offence played a big part in deciding the outcome of the clash. First baseman Prince Fielder led from the front as he earned an RBI singled to centre in the first inning to put his side on the board. Delmon Young also had a decent time on the plate
as he added a single to right in the first inning to double Tigers’ lead to 2-0.
Fielder and Don Kelly combined to add two more runs to the total as the Tigers claimed an impassable 4-0 lead. Brennan Boesch hit a ground rule double to deep centre and third baseman Miguel Cabrera smacked a two run home-run to ensure the Indians had no
chance of coming back into the contest.
Indians’ batting line-up also deserved credit for showing excellent fighting abilities under pressure. Third baseman Jose Lopez displayed high quality hitting skills, driving in crucial runs in the fourth and the sixth. Designated Hitter Carlos Santana and
shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera also made useful contributions to reduce the deficit to 5-7 but the night belonged to the Tigers who held their nerves to secure a much needed victory.
Tigers’ starter Casey Crosby showed nerves of steel under pressure as he allowed just five hits and three runs in just over five innings for his first win of the season.
"It was a good series overall, but seven was just too many for us today," Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. "Our offense did a great job of battling back. We had a couple times where we just needed one more hit."
"There's a lot of things going on in your debut. You've got family, you've got friends, you've got people congratulating you all the time," Crosby said. "This was a lot better. I knew it was going to happen, I knew what I was going to expect going into this
start so it was definitely a positive thing."
Relief pitchers Brayan Villarreal, Phil Coke, Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde all pitched with control and accuracy to hold off the Indians. Cleveland’s starter Derek Lowe gave up seven runs on nine hits in five innings to take his fourth loss of the year.
Tags: