Rick Porcello fails in battle of nerves against A.J. Burnett – MLB News
After winning game three of the American League Division Series and taking a valuable 2-1 lead in the five-game fiesta, the Detroit Tigers would have been content of winning game four and thus replicating their 2006 ALDS performance against the New York
Yankees.
Brilliant glove work by Curtis Granderson coupled by A.J. Burnett’s unexpectedly immaculate pitching, however, saw the Yankees overpower the Tigers 10-1 and level the series at two games apiece. The series finale will now be held at the Bronx on Thursday,
October 6.
In 2006, the Yankees were trailing 1-2 before game four of the ALDS against the same opposition at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. A stupendous effort by the Tigers sent the Yankees crashing out of the postseason. This time, with Rick Porcello up against
Burnett, a similar result was expected by many.
Coming out strong after a successful regular season, Porcello was favourite to win against Burnett, who had managed to register just 11 wins and as many losses during the regular season. Porcello, on the other hand, had a 14-9 win-loss record and had been
effective when required by the team. Getting the nod ahead of Brad Penny, Porcello could not halt the offensive strength of the Yankees and faltered against their might.
Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland, however, did not blame his starter for the loss. He said, "I thought Porcello really threw the ball well. He made a bad pitch to Derek on the double. The ball had good life. He actually pitched well, to hold that team down like
he did."
Leyland went on to praise Burnett’s performance and stated that the starter is capable enough of shutting down any quality opposition. He pointed out that although Burnett lacked accuracy early on, he did well to restrict the Tigers as his spell progressed.
Talking to reporters after the game, Burnett clarified that it took him a few pitches to get loose early on but he remained adamant in his stance and was not bothered.
Porcello became the youngest pitcher to start a postseason game for the Tigers but could not battle nerves to come out clean. If the Tigers go through, he will want to take on the mound once more.
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