Escape from New York! Tigers claw way to ALCS with 3-2 win
By 'Duk, Yahoo Sports
Score and situation: The Detroit Tigers hung on for a 3-2 win over the
New York Yankees in Thursday's ALDS Game 5 at Yankee Stadium. The victory
sends the Tigers to the ALCS for the first time since 2006, when they also
beat the Yankees in the ALDS.
Leading lads: Back-to-back home runs by Don Kelly(notes) and Delmon Young
gave the Tigers an early two-run lead in the first inning, but the real story on
Thursday night was Detroit's pitching. StarterDoug Fister(notes) allowed only
one run over five effective innings and the bullpen took over from there
series with four innings of one-run ball.
Head hangers: In a season when the Yankees' pitching was the main worry
all year long, who would have seen the team bowing out on a weak
offensive effort? The bullpen was great in taking over from starter
on base and never got the big hit they really needed. Two hundred
mil doesn't buy what itused to, apparently.
Key play: There were several key at-bats, but we'll go with Jose Valverde
striking out Alex Rodriguez(notes) to end the game. The punchout officially
ended New York's threat and marked the second year in a row that A-Rod
struck out to end the Yankees' season.
Interesting stat: Mariano Rivera(notes) only needed five pitches to throw a 1-2-3 ninth.
He threw only eight pitches for the entire ALDS, his lowest total in 32
postseason series.
What they'll be talking about: With one giant offense already defeated, will
Tigers pitching be able to replicate its effort against the powerful Rangers
lineup? In New York, the focus will be on who else? A-Rod, A-Rod, A-Rod.
Thursday's 0-for-4 performance with three strikeouts didn't do him any favors
in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world of New York baseball.
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