BOX
Key stat(s):
Brennan Boesch's batting line: 4-for-4; HR; 4 RBI, 4 runs
Key play:
Austin Jackson's catch on a ball hit by Curtis Granderson with a runner on second and a two-run lead in the seventh inning.
Key thoughts:
Getting out of New York with one win was the most likely situation heading into Thursday's game. Getting out of New York with one win heading into Sunday's game became key after the team lost the first two contests of the season. The Tigers got it done.
Defense was better today. It wasn't great by any means. But it was a bit better. Ryan Raburn is a good example of both sides of the coin. He made a great catch at the wall to rob Alex Rodriguez in the first inning. Then he coughed up the ball in the third. Fortunately it didn't lead to a run. Another example: Jhonny Peralta failed to turn the potentially inning-ending double play in the eighth when he hopped a throw to Cabrera. Fortunately a nice catch by Jackson kept Mark Teixeira from making it a costly mistake.
Twenty-six hits and seven home runs is too many for a game. But it was heartening to see the Tigers score 19 runs in three games. Sure they gave up 23 runs, but it was the Yankees they were playing. I wouldn't expect either trend to continue at that level and advise against reading too much into three games.
Still the Tigers just need to ride Boesch's hand when it's hot any way they can.
The team went 3-for-22 with runners in scoring position during the first two games, but 3-for-6 in Sunday's contest. That's some nice non-stranding for a change.
Oh, and Miguel Cabrera: two home runs and four RBIs, and he's the last thought on this post. Awesomeness, there.