Detroit Tigers rout Oakland Athletics 6-0 in Game 5 of ALDS – MLB Update
Justin Verlander produced a magical performance as Detroit Tigers routed the Oakland Athletics 6-0 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California on Thursday, October 11 in Game 5 of their five match American League Division Series.
Verlander made great use of his fastballs and slider, creating all sorts of problems for the A’s batting line-up. Leading from the front, Tigers’ starting pitcher gave up just four hits and nine shut-out innings to lay the foundations of an impressive victory.
Striking out 11 batters, Verlander blanked the A’s in must win game. It will be interesting to see if Verlander can continue his good form in his next starts to lead Tigers into the World Series finals.
"I don't have anybody better than him," Leyland said. "And if they get to him that much we'll probably be in trouble. I'm not taking him out, I can assure you of that, because I don't have anybody better to bring in."
Oakland’ starter Jarrod Parker took his second straight loss against Verlander, allowing seven hits and four runs in just over six innings. He will be very disappointed with the outcome of his last two starts.
Relief pitchers Jerry Blevins and Evan Scribner combined to pitch two scoreless innings but the Tigers held on to their lead comfortable on Thursday to reach the American League Championship series. They will face either Baltimore Orioles or New York Yankees.
"We feel like we have guys that can hit the ball out of the ballpark, and that's certainly been a key factor for us,'' A's manager Bob Melvin said before the game.
Austin Jackson provided Tigers with an excellent start as he doubled to deep left centre in the third innings to break the deadlock. Jackson continued to put pressure on Parker, scoring on a wild pitch in the third and he later added an RBI single to shallow
right centre in the seventh inning.
Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder made useful contributions in the seventh and Delmon Young reached first base safely on a throwing error to give Tigers an impassable 6-0 lead. Athletics, who showed great fighting skills throughout the series, failed to
cross the finish line.
Tags: