Justin Verlander allowed just four hits in a shutout and the Detroit Tigers offense broke out with a four-run seventh inning en route to a 6-0 win in the decisive Game 5 of the ALDS. Verlander only allowed one runner to reach third base all night and was otherwise untouchable, striking out 11 A's hitters.
Austin Jackson spearheaded the Tigers' attack, going 2-for-5 with two runs scored. His RBI double in the 3rd inning opened the Tigers' account. He scored on a wild pitch by A's starting pitcher Jarrod Parker to extend the Tigers' lead to 2-0. He put the Tigers up 3-0 with an RBI single in the 7th inning, the first of four runs that the offense would score in that inning.
The Tigers now await the winner of the Baltimore Orioles-New York Yankees series, which will be decided by another Game 5 -- the fourth of this year's postseason -- tomorrow evening. The Orioles beat the Yankees 2-1 in 13 innings tonight. Game One of the American League Championship Series will be on Saturday. No time has been announced.