Tigers 8, Athletics 5
Last night game two of the ALCS featured what we can now call the typical Tigers. Their pitching was dominant as usual but when Verlander did falter and only slightly, his offense perfectly exectued run-scoring plays to stay neck and neck with the A's before taking a lead in the fouth inning. It was a lead they would never lose.
Aside from wondering if Verlander would continue to impress many also wondered if Sean Casey's injury would significantly effect the game's outcome. Casey tore his calf muscle in game one against the A's and will likely be out for the rest of the post season. Tigers' manager Jim Leyland made a surprising move, starting third-baseman Guillen at first, putting Neifi Perez at third, and starting Alexis Gomez at DH.
Though Rodriguez and Monroe once again proved themselved dependable, the Tigers relied heavily on an unexpected hero. Gomez hit a two-run single in the fourth inning to give Detroit the lead, and a two-run homer, the second of his career, in the seventh, which all but sealed the deal. Granderson also homered, but by then it was just gravy. The Tigers had a bit of scare in the bottom of the ninth, but Todd Jones pitched out of a bases loaded jam to get the save.
The A's were plagued defensively once more, and when needed, starter Esteban Loaiza could not come through with the big pitches. Frank Thomas flied out to end the ninth inning, and the A's hopes of evening out the seven game series. The teams next face off Friday night in Detroit, where temperatures are expected to be in the 40s. A circumstance that, along with the Tigers' pitching, does not bode well for the Athletics.
Aside from wondering if Verlander would continue to impress many also wondered if Sean Casey's injury would significantly effect the game's outcome. Casey tore his calf muscle in game one against the A's and will likely be out for the rest of the post season. Tigers' manager Jim Leyland made a surprising move, starting third-baseman Guillen at first, putting Neifi Perez at third, and starting Alexis Gomez at DH.
Though Rodriguez and Monroe once again proved themselved dependable, the Tigers relied heavily on an unexpected hero. Gomez hit a two-run single in the fourth inning to give Detroit the lead, and a two-run homer, the second of his career, in the seventh, which all but sealed the deal. Granderson also homered, but by then it was just gravy. The Tigers had a bit of scare in the bottom of the ninth, but Todd Jones pitched out of a bases loaded jam to get the save.
The A's were plagued defensively once more, and when needed, starter Esteban Loaiza could not come through with the big pitches. Frank Thomas flied out to end the ninth inning, and the A's hopes of evening out the seven game series. The teams next face off Friday night in Detroit, where temperatures are expected to be in the 40s. A circumstance that, along with the Tigers' pitching, does not bode well for the Athletics.
