Tuesday night the Detroit Tigers managed to get themselves back into the ALCS as they defeated the Texas Rangers 5-2 from Comerica Park cutting the Rangers’ series lead in half (2-1).
Tigers starter Doug Fister was excellent and continues to prove why he was the best deadline day acquisition in Major League Baseball. The young right hander ended up going 7.1 innings allowing 2 runs on 7 hits while walking zero and striking out three.
Three of those hits off Fister came in the first inning as Texas took an early 1-0 lead after Josh Hamilton’s single up the middle scored the games first run.
Detroit’s big bats however came alive in this game.
Victor Martinez was able to tie the game in the fourth with a lead off home run while Cabrera, Peralta and Jackson were also able to drive in runs for Detroit.
Texas starter Colby Lewis went 5.2 innings allowing 4 runs on 8 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. He was also tagged with the loss.
Aside from Josh Hamilton in the first inning, Ian Kinsler had the Rangers’ second RBI in the top of the 8th inning.
Despite the Tigers’ win Tuesday nigh, there was more injury concern for the Tigers following the game. During Victor Martinez’s home run in the fourth, it appeared as though he was injured during the swing. He managed to stay in the rest of the game but the pain was evident during the play.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he was “very concerned” over the potential injury, especially since the Tigers are going to be without Magglio Ordonez for the rest of the postseason due to a fractured ankle. Outfielder Delmon Young also remains a huge question mark as he was a late scratch from Tuesday night’s lineup due to a strained oblique.
Martinez however did mention that he received treatment after the game and was feeling better.
Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon from Comerica Park with a first pitch around 4:19PM ET.
Ref: MLB.com