Detroit Tigers beat Oakland Athletics 3-1 in American League Divisional Series Game 1 – MLB Update
Detroit Tigers defeated the Oakland Athletics 3-1 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, October 6 in Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series.
Tigers used their home conditions to perfection on Saturday to outclass their rivals in finer details of the game. Starting pitcher Justin Verlander, once again, showed just what he is capable of as he struck-out 11 Oakland’s batters in seven sharp innings
to claim his first win of the post season.
Allowing just three hits and one run, he played a key role in deciding the outcome of the clash. Verlander looked a bit out of sorts for the first few innings but the A’s missed out on their best chance of the night to find runs against Tigers’ hard throwing
ace.
"Early on was kind of a bit of a battle for me," Verlander said. "Just kind of found my rhythm a little bit and was able to hit my spots better, and I started throwing my breaking ball for strikes a little bit better, too."
After his early slip, Verlander held Oakland scoreless, laying the foundation of an impressive Tigers’ victory. As usual, he was much stronger in his later innings, striking-out first two hitters he faced in the seventh. Relief pitchers Joaquin Benoit and
Jose Valverde combined to pitch two shut-out innings to help Detroit take a crucial 1-0 series lead.
"It's always important to get Game 1. The way it is now, obviously, it's nice starting here but to play the last three games in Oakland is definitely tough," Avila said, who smacked a mighty home-run in the fifth to give Tigers a decisive 3-1 lead. "Every
game's important, but it felt real good to get one out of the way."
After the A’s took the early 1-0 lead, Miguel Cabrera grounded into double play to shortstop in the first inning to level the score 1-1. Rookie Quintin Berry also did not show any signs of nerves, reaching on infield single to pitcher in the third. Alex
Avila homered to left centre in the fifth to deny the Athletics any chance of coming back into the contest.
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