Tigers use the long ball to send ALCS back to Texas
by Kurt Mensching on Oct 13, 2011 7:58 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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KEY STAT
4 HR: One homer each from Alex Avila and Ryan Raburn, while Delmon Young hit two of them
4 ER, 7.1 innings: Justin Verlander may have allowed more runs than you'd like, but he didn't allow too many. Yet again, JV wins a game to stop the Tigers' slide.
KEY PLAYS
Ryan Raburn singles, Miguel Cabrera doubles, Victor Martinez triples and Delmon Young homers. All in a row in the sixth inning. A curious cycle, but it accounted for four runs to help lift the Tigers.
KEY THOUGHTS
With their backs to the wall, the Tigers responded. Maybe it isn't too little, too late. Sure the odds are still long, but rallying back to win a series you trail 3-1 has been done before. Hey, even the 1968 World Series winning Tigers had to do that. But they won. So why not, right?
You could tell Alex Avila was hurting by the slow, waddling way he made it around the bases on his home run. But he hit the home run, and he made it around the bases. At this time of the year, you'll take it.
The legend of Delmon Young continues to grow. Not even on the ALCS roster due to an oblique injury, he's contributed some big plays already. Today, two home runs.
And Justin Verlander. What more can you say? The Tigers needed a win, and he did enough. You don't want to make too big of a deal out of it. The Tigers typically lose when they allow 4 or more runs. But he trailed only once in the game. That's good enough.
Maybe the real key play was having no rain delay. Detroit's lost 4 games this post season, and 3 came after a game delayed (or suspended) by rain. Let's hope it's dry in Texas.
The season's not over. Just have to take this show on the road.
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Great article
Thanks again for all your hard work
"But the point is, finger-pointing is just what sports fans do when something doesn't go right." -- Kurt Mensching
by RealityIsOptionable on Oct 13, 2011 8:00 PM EDT reply actions
That's win No. 100 for the Tigers in 2011
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
The storm is just reaching Lansing about now
And Harold Reynolds is explaining why Delmon is hitting third.
Ummm….. he isn’t!
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
<a href=“http://”I am not sure why JL left Coke in to face the Texas right hand batters in the 9th when he had Perry and Penny…." – " >Here’s the Radar
Doesn’t matter now. It can rain until the 22nd, when the Tigers host game 3 of the World Series.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
<a href=“http://”I am not sure why JL left Coke in to face the Texas right hand batters in the 9th when he had Perry and Penny…." – " >Link Fail
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
Strike two
That’s not a link, it was someone’s stupid quote
<a href=“http://”I am not sure why JL left Coke in to face the Texas right hand batters in the 9th when he had Perry and Penny…." – " >Here
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
I screwed up thrice, trying to post a link
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
I'm a little confused...
Was that Brooks Robinson at third base, or was that Inge?
Congrats on a clutch win
This White Sox fan is pulling for your boys. I’ve been over to the Lone Star threads and you are MUCH CLASSIER. As a female fan I appreciate your restraint not posting pictures of boobie babes (though I’m sure you appreciate them). Forgive the intrusion and GOOD LUCK!!!!
"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains."
megan fox makes it into the threads sometimes
but we’ve got lots of female regulars on our site :) feel free to drop by anytime.
Kurt posted it last night
It’s ok, we can ban him if you want.
by Rob Rogacki on Oct 13, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Great win boys
Finally got a day off and man does Avila neeeed it, havent seem someone that beat down and just leaving it all on the field in a long time.
by Tettleton Fan 20 on Oct 13, 2011 8:20 PM EDT reply actions
I've always been convinced that Portal would make an incredible musical.
Too bad Spiderman has likely ruined the chances of another geek musical for years.
can you imagine the amount of mirrors, trap doors and wire flying that would have to be in that?
Wait til October...
So, basically, Spiderman.
ha. Thinking about it, though, I bet you could get the idea across by having two people playing Chell so that the character can exit/enter simultaneously. The timing would have to be incredible.
Back to Texas
Does anyone else feel like the day off is almost more important than having to play in Texas?
sarcastic jinxing ass
Weather forecast is pleasant for the weekend. 80s and no rain.
And I’m NOT complaining, but JV has had a little too much Caveman Mode late in games this October (cf. Gardener, Cruz). Perhaps some offspeed with 2 strikes to K Braun in Game 1? ;)
by ChrisDTX on Oct 13, 2011 8:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
fister
any chance we see fister in game 6? he’d be on regular rest and he is without a doubt our best pitcher right now (no offense to verlander).
No, because
a) You need to have Fister for game 7
2) Jim Leyland has spoken. So it is written, so it will be done.
"Some guy told me I should walk with the Lord. I'd rather walk with the bases loaded" Ken Singleton
Fister pitched Game 3 on Tuesday
so he would be on short rest. Not a chance it happens.
my mistake
i thought game 3 was on monday. i like max anyway. the rangers have a lot of right handed bats and he seems to handle them well. if our bats come alive, it’s anyone’s game.
Scherzer can do the job.
Then you have Fister to wrap it up.No one said it would be easy,but the Tigers can win it all.Go Tigers.
My thoughts exactly....
Max has to continue his hot pitching in the post-season. We get to Fister, we may just pull this series out yet!! Of course, the bats have gotta stay hot….Delmon, Raburn, Cabrera, Martinez…sure would be nice to get some hits from Jhonny, AJAX and Santiago next game too!
by EriePATigersFan on Oct 13, 2011 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they can.
Back Max with a refreshed bullpen, and Doug with Porcello and Valverde. Hopefully we don’t need too much from the pen.
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Oct 14, 2011 4:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I can see the weight off the backs of Tigers hitters
And an onslaught in game 6. A 10-1 Tiger victory.
Then comes game 7, Fister vs Lewis. That works to the Tigers advantage, especially since neither Benoit or Valverde will be used in game 6.
4-3 Tiger win in game 7. World Series, here we come.
Nelson Cruz spends his off-season telling his friends he took a 100 mph Verlander fastball deep, and closing his ears when reminded the Tigers made the WS.
Ya read it here first?
Justin can now let the fungus grow back on his shower shoes.
technically I skimmed over it
but I do hope you’re right.
by Kurt Mensching on Oct 13, 2011 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Kurt you had better get your rest.
You will have a lot of recaps to write.
actually, one less than that
Al is doing Saturday’s.
by Kurt Mensching on Oct 13, 2011 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's not get too cocky there, Kurt
We might lose a game in the World Series
by Rob Rogacki on Oct 14, 2011 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Tigers need a blow-out in Game 6 to have everyone ready for a tense 7th game.
But it’s one game at a time. C’mon, Mad Max!!
by EriePATigersFan on Oct 13, 2011 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
What a win
Tigers team is held together right now with bandages, Motrin, heart, guts, and Ernie and Sparky know what else. What a win. No matter what happens here on out, that team effort goes right up there with Schilling and the bloody sock as far as I’m concerned. Bless you boys!
"You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it was the other way around..." Jim Bouton
by JimWalewander on Oct 13, 2011 9:39 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Just 2 wins? Can be done.
In fact, should be done. Max and Fister are very capable. Just need to get to the Texas starters and not squander the chances.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
Shorter odds . . .
Sure the odds are still long, but rallying back to win a series you trail 3-1 has been done before.
But we don’t have to worry anymore about how improbable it is to come back from trainling 3-1. The odds of coming back from trailing 3-2 are much better. :)
I still like the Tigers in any given game in this series
based on rotation match ups.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
Agreed
Other than Ogando (and he seems confined to the ‘pen, tho that could change), no one in the Rangers’ rotation strikes fear in me (or seemingly, the Tigers!), especially Colby Lewis, who we have pwned.
by EriePATigersFan on Oct 13, 2011 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Brewers 3, Cards 2
Just checking in on our next opponent.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
I can't believe no one has mentioned this but
Verlander threw 133 pitches tonight. I was at the game, knowing the situation of the short bullpen I checked my phone in the 7th to see how many pitches he had thrown and it was at 115 when I checked, I figured there would be no chance he’d come out for the 8th. As he left the field in the 7th I don’t think I was alone in thinking that as there was a standing ovation and chant of “M-V-P.” Then he comes out in the 8th and 130 some pitches in is dialing it up to 99 and 100. Truly incredible. And that Cruz home run was fair by what couldn’t have been more than an inch or two, I was waving it foul as it hooked down the line. Was it even a fastball? Point is 4 ER doesn’t really do justice to what the start meant for this team.
Yes it was a fastball.
Even JV does not have a 100 mph breaking ball in his arsenal.
by knucklescarbone on Oct 13, 2011 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
On the radio they were saying how Justin didn't acknowledge the crowd after the 7th, even with the standing-o and MVP chant,
they said he knew he was coming back out in the 8th even if he had to fight Leyland to do so.
I love that man.
JV knew what he had to do to give the Tigers a fighting chance.
I have a grand idea: let's win a game.
You checked your phone for the pitch count?
You know they keep track of that in the park, right?
by Rob Rogacki on Oct 13, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Nelson Cruz has a beaning coming at some point.
You don’t taunt like that. This isn’t football.
Taunting?
I didn’t get to see the game; what happened?
by owllover711 on Oct 13, 2011 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
He gestured from the dugout
using his hands to form a 1-0-0 (as in 100 mph), and then sort of spread his palms and raised his eyebrows. You could read that as just an expression of “wow”!
by knucklescarbone on Oct 13, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I am not clear that was a taunt.
Didn’t really look that way on camera. Not being a player, I may not get what is and is not allowed. I have never understood a pitcher taking offense when a hitter pauses after crushing a ball out before trotting around the bases. Nobody seems to take offense at the trotting.
by knucklescarbone on Oct 13, 2011 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it was, and I think he'll get drilled in the ribs next season for it.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
Although, JV not being Jared Weaver,
I doubt he will carry a grudge like that.
by knucklescarbone on Oct 13, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.
The backing up staredown of Cabrera the other night begged for it anyway.
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Oct 14, 2011 4:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Rangers' starters- 2011 post season
Derek Holland: 3 starts, 9 innings total, 4.00 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, Add 2 unearned runs.
Oct 10 vs Tigers: 2.2 Innings, 4 hits, 4 BB’s, 3 runs.
Holland will pitch Saturday against Max Scherzer.
Holland gave up a three-run homer to Ryan Raburn and lasted just 2 2/3 innings in Game 2. It was the shortest playoff start ever by a Rangers pitcher. He is 2-0 with a 4.43 ERA in two starts and seven relief appearances in his career in the playoffs.
Colby Lewis: 2 starts, 11.5 innings total, 3.86 ERA, 1.11 WHIP
October 11 vs Tigers- went 5.2 innings, 8 hits, 2 BB’s, 4 runs, 2 homers.
Lewis is slated to start Sunday vs Doug Fister.
Lewis allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings in a 5-2 loss in Game 3. He is now 4-1 with a 2.37 ERA in six postseason starts. He is 2-3 with a 7.56 ERA in six starts against the Tigers over the past two seasons.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
As mentioned here by many
the key is going to be getting to the starters with enough runs that the Tigers’ ’pen has a cushion and the Rangers cannot just rely on hanging on long enough to get the win late.
by knucklescarbone on Oct 13, 2011 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I was so despondent last night.
And now I am happier than a clam. Thank you Tigers. Thank you thank you thank you.
Well, after what was a draining game 4, todays game 5 was great. This series, every lucky bounce,, every possible bit of luck, every everthing has gone the Rangers way…until today. The crowd was beyond electric, the Tigers clawed their way to a win. In what has been a constant heart-stopping series, it has been CLEARLY obvious that Detroit has had superior starting pitching and Texas has had a superior bullpen. With Scherzer and Fister going game 6 and 7, and a rested team, I actually think the Tigers have a decent shot. Texas’s bullpen needs no explanation, so the Tigers hitters getting to Texas starters and getting to them early will be key. If that happens, Tigers will be going to the World Series for the first time in 5 years. And this means taking advantage of opportunities, not loading the bases with 1 out and getting only 1 run out of it. The Tigers most battered and bruised players came through MAJORLY today. Martinez with a triple, Young with TWO homers, and Avila with a homer. I like what I saw. This thing still favors Texas, but i dont want to hear about momentum. Momentum was when Inge homered and got a curtain call, and the Tigers had the lead run on 3rd with 1 out in the 8th with a deafening crowd…THAT is momentum. And look how well that worked out in game 4. So even though the momentum of Texas going home and needing just 1 win is there, as I said, the Tigers imo have a decent shot. LETS DO THIS, BLESS YOU BOYS…GOOOO TIGERS!!!!
by tigers84roar06 on Oct 13, 2011 10:47 PM EDT reply actions
and the Red Wings shut out the Canucks 2- 0 at Vancouver
just for some icing on the cake.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
Good NL game
If the Tigers can somehow win their next two games, they won’t find lineups from the NL like they’ve faced in the ALCS.
On the other hand, they’ll be seeing better starting pitching. So, there’s that.
Justin can now let the fungus grow back on his shower shoes.
I suspect he'll think 101 is a bigger deal...
When he’s drilled.
Childish. Good player having a great series, but that is bush league nonsense.
Maybe they'll go to the Allstar game together . . .
. . . so Justin can set his shoe on fire.
Well if that's all it takes to get plunked in MLB
then baseball players have pretty thin skins. As for pausing at home plate, it way by no means clear that the ball was going to be fair, so maybe he was just waiting to see whether it would hit the pole before trotting around the bases. I don’t like Cruz and what he’s done to us any more than anyone else, but don’t see how throwing at him is justified. There would be fisticuffs in every NCAA basketball and football game if what Cruz did were an unacceptable level of taunting (much less pro football and bball).
Bottom line is the count was 0-2 and Verlander should have tried to get him fishing on an off speed pitch outside the strike zone. He made a mistake and put a fastball right down the middle instead (and admitted in the post game interview that he missed with his location) to a guy who is on fire right now. JV pitched a great game overall, but getting upset at Cruz for taking advantage of a mistake seems a little rash.
by TheCrestedHelm on Oct 14, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
The hand signals were a bit much
1 – 0 – 0 with the “that’s all you got?” shoulder shrug. That’s a little over the top.
However, I’m curious about what prompted Cruz to do that or how he got JV’s attention. If JV was already staring him down for some reason, than I’m fine with Cruz and the hand signals. If Cruz hollered over at JV so he could bring unleash that bullshit, I’d hit him in the ass next season, at 101.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
let karma catch up to him like it did weaver!
by Kurt Mensching on Oct 14, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
los Carlos sort of inspired Weaver's tantrum
but it was maybe the funniest moment of the 2011 season.
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
Remember Back When
Bonderman admitted to throwing at batters. He got suspended.
Billy Martin got fired by the Tigers for admitting to telling his pitchers to throw at batters. I think Martin was one of the Greatest Managers IMO. Tigers should have kept him.
I hope Verlander shows that he is the bigger man, let it go & move on with our life.
by TigersFan1957 on Oct 15, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps Verlander should take the "high road"
But what you’re talking about here is voicing the unwritten game. I’m tempted to say that most pitchers have thrown at a batter or two over their time. Throwing at batters is one thing, talking about it is another. Once guys start talking about it, they have to be punished; otherwise, it is viewed as the club or league condoning it.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
terry foster
how about terry foster’s sweet column in the detroit news proclaiming that delmon was “too hurt to help the tigers”?
i bet he wishes he could take that one back…
Watching Baseball Tonight now... let me paraphrase the idiocy of national media
ESPN Announcers: Can Verlander pitch out of the bullpen in Game 7?
Cut to Leyland press conference: Scherzer and Fister are two big guys who can go deep for us.
ESPN Announcers: Can Verlander pitch out of the bullpen in Game 7?
Cut to Leyland: We have more than one good starter.
ESPN Announcers: But will we see Verlander again? We haven’t been paying attention enough to know who those other pitchers are.
Cut to Leyland: glares
ESPN Announcers: We want more Verlander!
Leyland: No.
ESPN: Okay, so the big question will be whether or not Verlander pitches on Sunday. Let’s check in on the Yankees… oh, uh. The Red Sox? Drama with Theo Epstein! Who cares that there was actual baseball played today. The real teams are already working on the hot stove.
by ColossusOfRhode on Oct 14, 2011 12:20 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I would imagine that Porcello is available out of the pen
since he probably won’t be scheduled to start another game until Game 4 of the World Series on Oct 23rd. This assumes that to get there, Max has to pitch a solid game on Saturday and they’d go with JV, Max, and Fister in some kind of order for the World Series.
ALCS Sat 15th- Max
ALCS Sun 16th- Fister
WS 19th- JV
WS 20th- Max
WS 22nd- Fister
WS 23rd- Kid Rick
WS 24th- JV
WS 26th- Max
WS 27th- Fister (and JV IS available out of the pen)
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
The 13th is my birthday.
I told my friends and family the only thing I want is to see a game 6. So, yeah. Happy birthday!
I have a grand idea: let's win a game.
My birthday yesterday too!
That victory was all I needed for the day.
by Ryan in Brooklyn on Oct 14, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I love this team so much. <3
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
Like I said yesterday - I feel like that little kid in "Angels in the Outfield"...saying....."It could happen"
And it did……and it just might Saturday night
Winning this game makes me upset about the situation we'd be in if we had won Game 2 or Game 4.
Blah. Oh well. Get 6 and 7 and be done with it.
Press conference quote of the day:
“I told him he was lucky, and he started laughing,‘’ Beltre said. "And he told me I was lucky the ball didn’t hit me in the mouth.’’
Good to see Miggy talking smack.
Funny.
It was lucky…just sayin’.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
One day at a time
The game Saturday will be the biggest game of the season (cliche, but true). Max has been good lately and Holland hasn’t. Let’s hope we can scratch out 4+ runs, mostly against Holland, and Max can hold Texas down through 7. The big guys at the end of the ‘pen will be well-rested for the 8th and 9th. If that’s the case, we’ll get a win in game 6 at Texas.
That would get us a helluva game on Sunday to watch, one which I think would favor the Tigers.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
dare I say it
Saturday is a must-win game!
by Kurt Mensching on Oct 14, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
For once, that statement is correct
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
gutsy outing by JV
the atmosphere down there was pretty nervous at the start of the game, especially after Texas jumped out to that early lead. it was great to see Justin work through that one even if he didn’t have his best stuff. it seemed difficult for him to put hitters away when he had 2 strikes on them.
great to see the bats wake up again too. the crowd really got loud when we started scoring some runs. finally caught the break we needed with that ball hitting third and bouncing over Beltre.
one day at a time. Max needs to take care of business and get us to Sunday.
No longer the Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club
Nervous home crowds are an interesting thing
You’re at home, the crowd should be behind you. But in an elimination game, they’re almost too nervous to be a true home crowd. When they showed the crowd during game 5 and game 6 (before the big 6th inning), everyone looked tense. I would be too.
Now, when we head to Texas, I imagine their crowd could get nervous. In particular, if we get a lead toward the middle of the game, they will start worrying about game 7 and Fister. If we get behind early, they will be rowdy and ready to celebrate.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
Cheezy Headline for Monday
3 GAMES IN OCTOBER
Verlander – Just IN Time
Scherzer – Max imum Performance
Fister – Doug the Rangers Grave
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