Detroit Tigers 2012 regular season review – Part 39
After securing a confidence boosting series victory against the Chicago Cubs, the Detroit Tigers were looking to continue the good work in their next series against the Colorado Rockies but that did not turn out to be the case in Game 1 on June 15, 2012.
Rockies showed unbelievable fighting abilities in Game 1 of the series, handling their nerves absolutely brilliantly to claim a vital 1-0 series lead. Tigers’ pitchers paid the ultimate price for their errors on the mound, allowing runs on a regular basis
against the Rockies’ batting line-up.
Starting pitcher Casey Crosby was hit hard as he allowed six hits and four runs in just over three innings. Relief pitchers Duane Below, Brayan Villarreal, Phil Coke and Joaquin Benoit combined to pitch five plus scoreless innings to help the Tigers force
the game into the extra inning. However, closer Jose Valverde failed to handle the pressure in the 10th and the Rockies scored eight consecutive runs to leave their opponents in disarray.
For the Rockies, starter Jeff Francis had a great time on the mound as he gave up four runs in five plus solid innings. Relief pitcher Matt Belisle grabbed his third win of the season after he tossed up back-to-back shut-out innings.
After both teams failed to open the scoring in first two innings of the contest, Chris Nelson tripled to deep right in the third inning to break the deadlock and put Rockies on the board. Dexter Flower also made his presence, adding a double to left in the
third to double Tigers’ lead to 2-0.
"Everyone talks about home runs and doubles, but it was a little bunt that caused us all kind of chaos," Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland said in a post game interview.
"It's great to get that stigma off our back," Rockies’ manager Jim Tracy said after his side secured a stunning victory. "This is really good for our club."
"I'm a little disappointed," Leyland said. "We could've and should've scored more, but we didn't."
Austin Jackson and third baseman Miguel Cabrera showed nerves of steel under pressure as they drove in crucial runs to level the score 2-2 for the Tigers. Slugger Prince Fielder earned an RBI single to centre in the third to put Tigers 3-2 ahead but the
Rockies were not prepared to give up without a fight.
"It happens," Tigers’ Delmon Young said. "Sometimes you're the bug, sometimes you're a window. I was a bug."
Nelson smacked a two run home-run in the fourth to help his side comeback from behind to claim 4-3 lead. Although they Tigers levelled up 4-4 to take the game into the extra innings, Rockies were determined to prevail.
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