Justin Verlander shines as Detroit Tigers edge past the New York Yankees 2-1 in Game 3 of ALCS
Justin Verlander produced another magical performance as Detroit Tigers edged past the New York Yankees 2-1 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on Tuesday, October 16 in Game 3 of American League Championship Series.
Verlander dominated the Yankees’ batting line-up right from the start of the contest. Using his fastballs and sliders to great effect, the reigning American League Most Valuable Player created all sorts of problems for New York.
"Normally I guess you don't take Secretariat out in the final furlong, but that was pretty much it for him," Leyland said of Verlander.
Showing great control and accuracy, Verlander gave up just three hits and one run in eight plus solid innings to lay the foundation of an impressive Tigers’ victory. Relief pitcher Phil Coke performed the closing duties for the Tigers, giving up two hits
in 0.2 inning of relief and the Tigers held on to their slim lead to take a 3-0 series lead.
"We put ourselves in a decent position, but that's all we have done," Tigers’ Manager Jim Leyland said.
"There were some good at-bats tonight. The ball was not carrying tremendously well tonight, we know that," Joe Girardi said. "But I think he ended up with three strikeouts. So our guys put the ball in play and tried to get on base, but, you know, when you
face Verlander, you know what you're up against."
Delmon Young, who played a key role in deciding the outcome of Game 1, started from where he left off as he homered to left in the fourth inning to put Tigers on the board. Triple Crown Award winner, Miguel Cabrera also showed why he is an asset for his
team as he added a double to deep right centre in the fifth inning to double the lead to 2-0.
Eric Nunez smacked a solo home-run to left in the ninth but the Yankees were unable get over the finish line.
Tigers’ Manager Jim Leyland will be very pleased with what he has seen from his men during the playoffs. It will be interesting to see if starter Max Scherzer can finish off the Yankees in Game 4 to help Tigers progress to the World Series finals.
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