Justin Verlander guides Detroit Tigers to 5-4 win over New York Yankees – MLB Update
Justin Verlander outclassed CC Sabathia on the mound to give Detroit Tigers an essential 5-4 win over the New York Yankees on Monday, October 3 at Comerica Park in Detroit Michigan.
After splitting the first two games of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium, history supported the Tigers to prevail in this crucial encounter. Yankees, on the other hand, were under a lot of pressure to win this game. With Ivan Nova already
used in the first game, Yankees had no other choice but to play Sabathia in this game to keep their chances in the series. 2006 saw the Tigers sweep the Yankees at Comerica Park in the ALDS and odds are high of a similar result.
Now, A.J. Burnett is scheduled to start a must-win game four for the Yankees and with no home-advantage, the post-season might already be over for the AL East champions.
Displaying his true eminence, Verlander pitched eight immaculate innings to add another win to his 24 in the regular season. He hurled 120 pitches in this spell and struck-out 11 batters to cement his case for winning the AL Cy Young Award this year. Although
he leaked four runs, Jose Valverde closed the game with a perfect inning to ensure a win for Detroit’s ace.
Yankees scored two runs in the first inning, but failed to carry on with the momentum. Derek Jeter scored the first run before Curtis Granderson doubled the lead on Alex Rodriguez’s RBI. A-Rod grounded out at short-stop and subsequently failed in his second
at-bat as well, falling to 0-for-10 in three post-season games so far.
Sabathia pitched two strong innings upfront, but Brandon Inge and Austin Jackson emerged strongly in the third inning to bring the game back in balance. Inge, batting down in the line-up, continued with his exemplary form on the plate, scoring a crucial
run in the fifth inning to give the home-team a one-run lead. Don Kelly then scored in the sixth inning to change a two-run deficit into a two-run lead for the Tigers. Sabathia was removed thereafter, but was lucky to get a no-decision.
Brett Gardner drove in a two-run double to left-field in the seventh for the Yankees to draw level but Delmon Young, after failing in game two, smashed Rafael Soriano for a home-run down right-field to seal the encounter.
The Yankees are now just one loss away from being eliminated from the post-season.
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