Detroit Tigers 6 — New York Yankees 4 (12 innings)
A back and forth game includes a serious injury in tonight’s 6-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers in 12 innings.
Andy Pettitte took the mound for Game 1 and gave the Yankees 6.2 innings where he got in and out of difficult situations. An unusual triple by former Yankee Austin Jackson started the 6th inning with a rally. It landed fair and hit an unusual curve in the walls along the foul line, slowing it down and requiring Nick Swisher to come into short right field to retrieve the ball. After an out and an intentional walk of Triple Crown winner, Miguel Cabrera, first baseman Prince Fielder and Delmon Young would come through with back-to-back singles to bring in 2 runs and give the Tigers the lead. Derek Lowe would take over after a 2-out walk and would strikeout Miguel Cabrera. Lowe would pitch in the 8th inning and would give up a solo home run to Delmon Young. A double would end Lowe’s night and Boone Logan would take over. Rookie outfielder Avisail Garcia would come through for the fourth run of the game giving the Tigers a 4-0 lead. The bullpen would hold the game at a tie following the 4-4 tie as Eppley, Rapada, Robertson, and Soriano put together 3 shutout innings. With the bullpen wearing down, David Phelps appeared to be the last arm available in the 12th inning. Phelps would have to go through the heart of the Tigers’ lineup and it would be a painful final inning. After Delmon Young would drive in the go-ahead run on a poorly played line drive that got past Nick Swisher, the shocking event of the night would take place. On a ground ball to the left of Derek Jeter, the Yankees captain would get the ball and be unable to make a play on it as he crumbled to the ground in obvious pain. Jeter would be carried off the field. Another run would score before the inning would come to an end as the Yankees fans were stunned by the bigger loss of the night.
Doug Fister started for the Tigers and the first 2 innings should have been the end of his night. Three walks would load the bases and of all people, Alex Rodriguez would come to the plate. On the first pitch, Rodriguez would hit a laser on the ground to the shortstop, Jhonny Peralta, who is not known for any defensive prowess, and made the out to end the inning. In the 2nd inning, three consecutive singles with 2 outs would put together another 2 out, bases-loaded opportunity. Robinson Cano would hit a line drive off of the right arm of Doug Fister that would be played by Jhonny Peralta as he got the Tigers out of another deep situation. The Yankees offense would go quiet throughout the game until the 9th inning. Facing closer Jose Valverde with a 4-run deficit, Ichiro Suzuki would get the offense started with a 2-run home run hit on a rope into right field to put the Yankees on the board. Trailing by 2 with 2 outs, Mark Teixeira would work back from an 0-2 count and would get on base with a walk to bring up Raul Ibanez. The hero of Game 3 in the ALDS would be a hero again as he would tie the game with a 2-run home run. That would be the last flash of offense from the Yankees as they would lose tonight’s game. The Yankees hit 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position and would leave a total of 13 on base in a very painful loss to open the ALCS.
Win – Drew Smyly (1-0)
Loss – David Phelps (0-1)
Notables
Tigers
*Delmon Young – 3 for 6, R, 2B, Solo Home Run (1) in the 8th, 3 RBI (3)
*Prince Fielder – 2 for 6, RBI (1)
Yankees
*Raul Ibanez – 2 for 5, R, BB, 2B, 2-Run Home Run (1) in the 9th, 2 RBI (2)
*Ichiro Suzuki – 4 for 6, R, 2-Run Home Run (1) in the 9th, 2 RBI (2)
Current series: Tigers lead 1-0
