Some say this game was a microcosm of the season. This late I can barely pronounce microcosm of the season, so I'm going to hit publish on everything I wrote instead.
Well you've got to hand it to the Tigers. They were down 7-3 Thursday night, playing in the eighth inning on getaway day. Back home, it's approaching 11 p.m. They have a flight to catch to Kansas City after the game.
But the game is nine innings -- or more -- when you play for Jim Leyland, so they still had more work to do.
Home runs by Jhonny Peralta -- and Ryan Raburn -- his ninth since the start of August -- and a two-out, two-run single by internet sensation @WillRhymes knotted the game at 7-all.
The Twins came right back in the bottom half of the inning, but Casper Wells answered with an opposite field blast of his own -- also his first career home run.
When Brandon Inge scored in the 11th inning, the game was starting to feel like a poorly-pitched, poorly-fielded version of a more famous one last year, to be frank. A sure double play ball that was not turned into an out only made that feeling even stronger. This time, the Tigers got a second chance to turn two without giving up a run! ... Then Ramon Santiago ran into Rhymes as he tried to turn two after a slight bobble. Whoops. Tie game, 9-9.
Of course you know by now this one turned out much better. Gerald Laird hit the go-ahead home run in the 13th, and Jose Valverde hung on to earn his second win of the season. The first came on May 15.
Hallelujah! The last game in Target Field of the season ended on a happy note.
Well, mostly.
Miguel Cabrera left the game in the sixth inning, reportedly with biceps tendinitis in his left shoulder. He is listed as day-to-day. Also the Twins' starter, Scott Baker, left with right-elbow pain after two innings. The Twins used so much of their bullpen they even tapped their scheduled starter for Friday's game, Nick Blackburn
In all, the Tigers have five homers, a nice showing. Solid performances also were put up by Austin Jackson, who had three runs, three hits and two walks, and Ryan Raburn, who had three hits after pinch-hitting for Don Kelly. Oh, and Brandon Inge had two hits. And hey, let's even give some props to Jhonny Peralta, who played first base for the first time in his major league career after Cabrera left the game. He looked pretty good there, too.
It was just great to see the Tigers gut one out, especially after they lost a couple of close contests to start the series. But they're going to have to do better than 2-7 in Minnesota next season.
Now, I must get to sleep, and dream about micro something-er-others.