Detroit Tigers 2012 regular season review – Part 54
With momentum on their side, the Detroit Tigers continued to dominate the Tampa Bay Rays in the finale of a four match series. With their impressive win against the Rays, Jim Leyland and company also completed a deserving series victory against their American
League rivals.
Tigers’ starting pitcher Drew Smyly created all sorts of problems for the Rays’ batting lineup. Overall, he gave up just three hits and three runs in five plus innings to claim his third win of the season. Striking out four batters, he ensured the Tigers
stayed in control of the situation.
Relief pitchers Brayan Villarreal, Phil Coke, Joaquin Benoit and closer Jose Valverde also played a key role in deciding the outcome of the contest as they combined to give just two hits in four scoreless innings to dent Ray’s confidence levels.
"That's a good sign for us. We battled on this road trip," Jackson said. "That just says a lot about the team. Just coming out of the funk a little bit."
"A good way to end it. A long road trip and we come out of it OK," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.
"Wins are golden. They're hard to get. We found that out all year long, so far," Leyland added. "To close it out with three out of four here is pretty tough to do."
Rays’ starter Alex Cobb was unable to execute his game plan to perfection as he allowed eight hits and five runs in just over five innings to take his 5th loss of the season.
B.J. Upton provided the Rays with an excellent start as he hit a sacrifice fly to centre in the first inning. Ryan Raburn brought Tigers back into the contest as he singled to centre in the fourth inning. Delmon Young and catcher Alex Avila also made useful
contributions as they combined to put the Tigers 3-1 ahead.
Rays’ fought back strongly to level score 3-3 in the fifth inning but the Tigers were determined to win the contest. Austin Jackson and Prince Fielder drove in vital runs to give Detroit a much needed victory.
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