Detroit Tigers edge past Oakland Athletics 5-4 in American League Division Series Game 2 – MLB
Detroit Tigers continued to find winning ways as they edged past the Oakland Athletics 5-4 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on Sunday, October 7 in Game 2 of the American League Divisional series.
Don Kelly did not show any sign of nerves under pressure as he scored on a wild pitch by A’s relief pitcher Ryan Cook in the eighth. Oakland’s closer Grant Balfour took the loss after he gave up the tie breaking single to Kelly in the bottom of the ninth.
"Was looking for a fastball and I got it," Kelly said. "It's a great feeling, to be able to go out there in that situation and do that."
"We were cracking up in the dugout," Detroit pitcher Max Scherzer said. "We were like, 'Did he really just kiss the ball?' ... Alburquerque does some crazy things on the mound."
Justin Verlander produced a magical performance in Game 1 to help Tigers gain the momentum. On Sunday, it was starting pitcher Doug Fister who held the A’s to just two runs in seven effective innings. Striking-out eight batters, he showed the kind of stuff
he is capable of.
Fister made a shaky start, giving up an RBI single to Yoenis Cespedes in the third inning. However, as the game progressed he became more confident and he left the mound with a 3-2 lead. Al Alburquerque grabbed the win after he held off the Athletics in
the ninth.
"We didn't appreciate that. I thought it was immature and not very professional," Reddick said. "You don't do that on the field. Save it for the dugout. That's all I'm going to say."
Delmon Young grounded out to first in the third inning to put Tigers on the board. Triple Crown Award winner Miguel Cabrera had another decent outing as he reached first base safely on an error by A’s centre fielder.
Josh Reddick’s home-run to right in the eighth helped Oakland come back from behind to claim a narrow 4-3 lead and it seemed they will hold on to level the series but Jim Leyland and his men had other ideas.
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