Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland looks back on Game 3 as Tigers close gap in American League Championship Series
Jim Leyland was one of the happiest managers on Tuesday, October 11, when his squad managed to beat the Texas Rangers for the first time in the American League Championship Series at the Comerica Park in Detroit. The club was 2 – 0 behind their rivals in
the contest but the roster managed to pick up an important 5 – 2 victory as they now close the gap to just one game.
The Detroit Tigers have been looking formidable under Leyland and if they keep their pace up, they may see the World Series contest move to their home ground. The club however has injuries and that is one of the biggest concerns at the moment. Delmon Young
has an oblique strain, while Magglio Ordonez is out of the playoffs with a broken right ankle.
Victor Martinez looks like a recent casualty as he wrecked his bat in the dugout while expressing his frustration on his back strain. Miguel Cabrera is also nesting a back problem as he looked strained by the pain. The manager however took the time out to
talk of Adrian Beltre, who smashed the ball on to his knee and continued to play for the Rangers.
"I'm thrilled the way we played," manager Jim Leyland said. "We're tough. I think you have to mention Adrian Beltre for them. These are two tough teams. He got smoked on the knee. Our guys are playing with pain and some injuries. What he went through tonight,
he played the game unbelievable."
The skipper however did not forget to mention his pitcher, Doug Fister who picked up an important win in the encounter.
"I thought he put on a clinic," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said of Fister. "I thought he put on a pitching clinic, in and out, moving the ball around, moving the ball both sides of the plate."
Fister pitched 7.1 innings, conceding just two runs off seven hits. He was instrumental in shutting the Rangers down as the Tigers pounced on Colby Lewis and Koji Uehara for five runs.
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