Detroit Tigers power their way to 5-2 win over Texas Rangers in ALCS Game 3 – MLB Update
The Detroit Tigers overpowered the Texas Rangers 5-2 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday, October 11 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan to pull back a game in the seven-game series after having lost the first two games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Only three teams have been able to overthrow a two-game deficit in the Championship Series since the seven-game series came into existence, the most recent example being the Boston Red Sox, who went on to win the World Series in 2004.
After Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer failed to make an impact in Game 1 and 2 respectively, Doug Fister was expected to turn the tide for Detroit. Living up to the expectations of his team and fans, Fister pitched 7.1 innings for just two runs amid seven hits to win the game for Detroit. He struck-out three batters in this stretch and finished at an impressive earned-run average of 2.45.
Ian Kinsler proved to be the most prominent batter for the Rangers, going 2-for-3 and driving in a run to overcome his team’s inability to master the conditions. However, his effort alone was not sufficient to keep Texas in contention for their sixth consecutive postseason win.
Detroit’s offence had failed to convert scoring chances in the first two games, going 2-for-19 with runners on scoring positions. However, it had been widely anticipated that the Tigers will not fail offensively if they manage to tackle Rangers’ starter Colby Lewis.
After Kinsler’s run in the first inning, Lewis pitched three scoreless innings for the Rangers to give the visitors an upper-hand in the crucial game. However, Detroit’s designated hitter Victor Martinez lashed a home-run towards right-field to bring the game in balance. Prior to this, Martinez had gone 0-for-7 in the first two games and was desperately anxious to make his mark in the series.
Miguel Cabrera then drove in a run in the fifth inning to give the Tigers a one-run lead before lashing a home-run in the seventh inning to extend this lead to four-runs in front of packed stands.
Jose Valverde pitched a perfect ninth yet again to safely see the Tigers through.
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