Detroit Tigers lose 3-7 as Nelson Cruz ends Game 2 with Grand Slam for Texas Rangers – Part 1
The Detroit Tigers lose Game 2 of the American League Championship Series 3-7 to the Texas Rangers on Monday, October 10 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
If there was any chance of winning Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, the Detroit Tigers had the best list of opportunities on their hand. The Texas Rangers were prominent in their hitting attack as two early runs set the tempo of the game.
The situation however took a turn towards the other side as Ryan Raburn hit a three run homer to put Detroit in the lead. Nevertheless, it was Nelson Cruz who saved the day as he steered the Rangers to victory with a brilliant Grand Slam.
One of the unsung heroes of the Texas line-up had to be Scott Feldman. The pitcher took charge on the mound after Derek Holland only managed to go on with 2.2 innings, giving away a three run homer and four hits to the Tigers. The starter however never felt
comfortable in the game as he gave away four walks before manager Ron Washington pulled him off the mound.
Feldman kept things quiet as he pitched 4.1 innings, conceding just one hit, while striking-out four hitters in the process. He was truly the inspiration that drove the Rangers to a hard earned winner.
Max Scherzer was a sigh of relief for the Tigers. His role was empirical for the club to maintain the tie till the 11th inning of the game. He gave up two runs early but went on to maintain his composure throughout the fixture. He pitched six
innings, granting just three runs off six hits. His earned run average was 4.50.
Ryan Perry was the unfortunate figure in the Detroit bullpen that conceded the Game 2 loss. He went on to give up a Grand Slam in the last inning to Nelson Cruz.
The game began with Holland pitching first and he made a fool of himself by putting two hitters on second and third base with two-outs. He escaped an embarrassing situation by grounding out Victor Martinez. The Rangers opened the scoring card with Elvis
Andrus in the first when Josh Hamilton led the shortstop in with a double off a fly ball to the left.
Adrian Beltre came in later to send Hamilton home with a line drive to right-field. The Rangers were steaming hot with a 2-0 score line. The Tigers were now on the back foot and Manager Jim Leyland was trying his best to turn up the dial in the bullpen.
Holland was struggling and that was one of the opportunities that the club had to exploit soon to go back in the game.
Continued in Part 2
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