Bless You Boys - ALDS Game 2: Don Kelly walk-off sends Tigers to Oakland up 2-0A detailed list of nope about the Detroit Tigershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47585/default.png2012-10-07T16:55:57-04:00http://www.blessyouboys.com/rss/stream/32330552012-10-07T16:55:57-04:002012-10-07T16:55:57-04:00Tigers take 2-0 ALDS lead on Don Kelly sac fly
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<p>Utility man Don Kelly was designated for assignment in August. Come October, Kelly scores the game-tying run and drives home the winner in game 2 of the ALDS.</p> <p><span> </span></p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 10.7.2012 </span> </th> <th> 1 </th> <th> 2 </th> <th> 3 </th> <th> 4 </th> <th> 5 </th> <th> 6 </th> <th> 7 </th> <th> 8 </th> <th> 9 </th> <th>R</th> <th>H</th> <th>E</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> </span></td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> </span></td>
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<td colspan="13">WP: Al Alburquerque (1 - 0) <br> LP: Grant Balfour (0 - 1)</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span><span class="link-more"></span></span><span>Complete Coverage ></span></p>
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<p><br id="1349642837315"> Don Kelly's walk off sacrifice fly gave the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> a wild 5-4 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a>. Holed a 2 games to none lead, the Tigers take control of the ALDS as they head to Oakland.</p>
<p><span>Al Alburquerque</span>, the last of 4 Detroit pitchers, faced just batter in the 9th, but it was enough to give him the victory in relief. A's closer <span>Grant Balfour</span> allowed 2 hits, a walk and the winning run, taking the loss.</p>
<p>Miguel Cabrera led the Tigers' with 3 hits, <span>Omar Infante</span> and <span>Jhonny Peralta</span> chiming in with 2 hits each. <span>Josh Reddick</span> homered for the A's, <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> adding 2 hits and an RBI.</p>
<p><span>Doug Fister</span> picked up where he left off in his final regular season start, striking out yesterday's A's hero <span>Coco Crisp</span> on 5 pitches. The next 2 A's, <span>Stephen Drew</span> and Cespedes, went down without incident.</p>
<p>Unlike <span>Justin Verlander</span> in game 1, Fister had excellent command early on, needing only 11 pitches in the 1st inning compared to Verlander's 26.</p>
<p>Miguel Cabrera ripped a 2 out liner to the wall in left center for a stand up double. Tommy Milone got out of trouble when <span>Prince Fielder</span> hit the ball hard, but right at Cespedes.</p>
<p>Despite having wicked stuff, sometimes luck plays a part in the creation of a threat. <span>Josh Donaldson</span> didn't the ball hard, but a bloop off his fists dropped in front of <span>Avisail Garcia</span> for the A's first base hit with 2 out in the 2nd. <span>Seth Smith</span> was nicked by an inside curve ball, moving Donaldson into scoring position. George Kottaras never had a chance, waving feebly at a 74 MPH breaking ball for Fister's 4th strikeout, inning and threat over.</p>
<p>The Tigers weren't making Milone work hard in the 2nd. <span>Delmon Young</span>, first pitch swinging of course, send a can of corn to left. Peralta tried to drop a flair into right, Josh Reddick making a sliding grab. <span>Andy Dirks</span> kept the inning alive, necking a liner to right for a 2 out single. Garcia at the plate, Milone bouced a breaking ball into the dirt, the ball bouncing away from Kottaras. Dirks advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch with a head first slide.</p>
<p>Garcia nearly made it a 1-0 game when Milone sheared off his bat, resulting in a Texas leaguer which fell just foul. Garcia ultimately worked a base on balls, bringing up <span>Gerald Laird</span> with ducks on the pond. G-Money's body was money, hit by the first pitch from Milone, loading the bases for Austin Jackson.</p>
<p>Some hard luck got Milone into a jam, but he was able to pitch out of it. Jackson left the bases loaded, flying out to medium center.</p>
<p>The bats continued breaking in the 3rd. Fister broke Cliff Pennington's bat leading off the 3rd, yet he was able to lift a single over the head of Peralta. The A's sent Pennington on a 3-2 pitch to Crisp. On the resulting slow hopper to 3rd, Cabrera's throw pulled Fielder off the bag. It was ruled a base hit, in a bit of homer scoring.</p>
<p>Cespedes made the Tigers pay, lining a single to left, Pennington scoring without a throw to give the A's their 2nd 1-0 lead of the series. Moss bid to make it 2-0, singling to right. But Garcia, showing off why the Tigers wanted him on the playoff roster, came up throwing, firing a bullet to Laird. Garcia's1 hop throw nailed Crisp by 5 feet for out number 2.</p>
<p>Josh Reddick was called out looking for the 3rd out, Fister's 6th strikeout. Reddick had a hissy fit, throwing his bat in frustration. He was not the first A's batter to be upset with a large strike zone. You had to believe it was getting into their heads, and Fister, like Verlander, would take advantage.</p>
<p>1 down, bottom of 3, the Bash Brothers did their thing. Cabrera doubled for the 2nd consecutive at bat, Fielder followed with a single, Cabrera held at 3rd.</p>
<p>Young, ever the hacker, hacked at both the 1st and 2nd pitch from Milone. The 2nd hack nubbed a ground ball toward Moss at 1st. Cabrera broke for home on what had become, for all intents and purposes, a safety squeeze. Cabrera slid home with the tying run as Moss elected to take the sure out, tagging Young. Replays showed Moss had a play at the plate, the Tigers likely catching a break which allowed them to tie the game 1-1.</p>
<p>Top of 4, Fister allowed a lead off walk, then sent the next 3 A's down in order, along with recording his 7th strikeout. Fister made a nice play for the 3rd out, sprinting to 1st, beating a diving Pennington to the bag to take the throw from Fielder.</p>
<p>Milone countered with a 1-2-3 bottom of the 4th, highlighted by Drew robbing Garcia of a single. I had no idea shortstops with range were a thing...</p>
<p>Going into the 5th, the game couldn't have been much more even. Score tied 1-1, Tigers with 4 hits to the A's 5, A;s striking out 7 times to the Tigers' 5, Milone having thrown 73 pitches to Fister's 70. The only glaring difference was runners left on base, the Tigers 5, A's 9.</p>
<p>Fister had another quick inning, needing only 12 pitches to set the As down in order in the 5th. As did Milone, sending the top of Tigers' order down 1-2-3. Cabrera made a bid for his 3rd extra base hit, sending Crisp to deep right center for a 410+ foot 3rd out.</p>
<p>The Tigers' offense had gone into "Frustrate the fan base mode," 7 straight having taken a seat.</p>
<p>Luckily Fister was frustrating the A's as well. After hitting Moss with a pitch, Fister struck out an incredulous Moss, then Josh Donaldson grounded into the 6-3 double play. Yes, the Tigers turned a traditional double play.</p>
<p>The Tigers kept threatening to go yard, showing off warning track power. Fielder sent Reddick to deep left for the 1st out of the bottom of the 6th. With 2 down, the Tigers finally had themselves a base runner, Peralta singling. But Dirks channeled his inner Young, striking out on a breaking ball 2 feet out of the zone.</p>
<p>The A's broke out the small ball, playing for 1 run in the 7th. Fister walked Smith, Kottaras moving him over with a sacrifice. It worked, Crisp singling to center, Smith scoring easily. Fister got the next 2 outs without trouble, but the lead off walk was an absolute killer.</p>
<p>Given a lead, the A's went to their hard throwing, lights out as of late, bullpen. Rookie Sean Doolittle and his 11.4 strikeouts per 9 took over for Milone.</p>
<p>As if on script, Garcia struck out. Laird hit a first pitch slow roller to 2nd, an easy out number 2.</p>
<p>Then the game went entirely off script for the A's.</p>
<p>Jackson singled to center, Infante moving him to 2nd with a single to left. With 2 down, it was suddenly a worst case scenario for the A's. Runners in scoring position, the Triple Crown winner at the plate.<br><br>Cabrera took a big swing, but sent a looper into short center. Crisp, playing so deep he was closer to Oakland County than home plate, had to race in, trying to make the basket catch. Having to sprint in from a couple of steps in front of the warning track, Crisp bobbled, then dropped, Cabrera's fly for a 2 base, 2 RBI error, the Tigers taking a completely unexpected 3-2 lead.</p>
<p>Given a lead and Fister over 100 pitches, Jim Leyland went to the bullpen. <span>Joaquin Benoit</span> quickly got into trouble. What else is new?</p>
<p>Cespedes singled. He then proceeded to steal BOTH 2nd and 3rd base. He scored when Benoit's threw a wild pitch.</p>
<p>The crowd was livid, booing Benoit mercilessly.</p>
<p>Benoit then collapsed completely, Reddick yanking a home run just to the left of the 330 mark in right, giving the A's a shocking 4-3 lead.</p>
<p>And no, the fans weren't saying <i>"Boo-urns."</i></p>
<p>Benoit managed to get out of the 8th only 1 run down. Desperation time for the Tigers as they now faced <span>Ryan Cook</span> and his 9.8 strikeouts per 9 in the bottom of the 8th. Leyland took out his scorecard, he was going to get busy.</p>
<p>Leading off, Young singled to right center. Don Kelly pinch ran for Young. <br><br>Peralta didn't hit the ball hard, but his soft liner was hard enough to get past Penningon, Kelly taking 2nd.. <span>Danny Worth</span> ran for Peralta.</p>
<p>Leyland called for Dirks to sacrifice bunt. By the way, Dirks hit .322 on the season. He bunted anyway. It wasn't pretty, but Dirks moved the runners over.</p>
<p><span>Quintin Berry</span> pinch hit for Garcia. It was not a good decision by Leyland, sending the left handed Berry against a the fire-balling Cook. Berry was completely overwhelmed, striking out on 3 pitches.</p>
<p>Emptying the bench, <span>Alex Avila</span> pinch hit for Laird.</p>
<p>What one reliever giveth....well, so did another. Cook's first pitch to Avila skipped to the backstop, Kelly scoring without a play on the wild pitch. The Tigers had stunningly tied the game at 4-4.</p>
<p>Cook struck out Avila with the go-ahead run on 3rd, but the damage was done. Appeared to have flat lined after an awful top of the 8th, the Tigers stepped back from the light to tie the game.</p>
<p>Despite 3 straight right hand bats due up for the A's, Leyland went with lefty <span>Phil Coke</span> in relief of Benoit</p>
<p>Derek Norris pinch hit for Kottaras, struck out swinging. Pennington walked, Coke not receiving the benefit of the doubt of a Fister, a couple of borderline strike 2 pitches called balls.</p>
<p>Crisp hit a ball into the hole at short, Worth making a nice play to get the force (Peralta doesn't make that play, for what it's worth). Crisp kept the inning alive, called safe on a bang-bang play at 1st. Crisp's hustle paid off, Drew singling him to 3rd.</p>
<p>With the A's best hitter, Cespedes, due up, Leyland took a left turn at Al Alburquerque. 3 pitches and a kiss of the ball later, the threat was over. Alburquerque jammed Cespedes, tapping a come-backer to end the inning, giving the baseball a peck before he tossed it to Fielder.</p>
<p>Game tied, bottom of 9, the top of the Tigers' order due up. Meaning Cabrera would going to hit. A's manager Bob Melvin wasn't going to save his closer for a lead which may never arrive. Grant Balfour (and his 8.7 strikeouts per 9) started the inning for the A's.</p>
<p>Balfour struck out Jackson, but Infante lined a single to right center. Down 1-2, Cabrera just tried to make contact, singling to center, Infante racing to 3rd. The Tigers only needed a sacrifice fly to win the game.</p>
<p>The next 2 batters were Fielder and Kelly. What would you do? Exactly what the A's did, intentionally walk Fielder, loading the bases in order to pitch to the very light hitting Kelly.</p>
<p>The winning run 90 feet away, Balfour's 2nd pitch to Kelly was a belt high fastball. Kelly did his job to absolute perfection, driving a fly to right, more than deep enough for Infante to score the game winning run.</p>
<p>DON KELLY, EVERYBODY. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?topic_id=28898650&content_id=25351859&c_id=det&partnerId=aw-6413059017082586917-4460">GAME WINNING WIZARD</a>.</p>
<p>The Wizard was mobbed by the entire city of Detroit as the Tigers won 5-4 and take a stranglehold on the ALDS.</p>
<p>I can't think of a more odd-neat-strange-funny-happy way for the game to have ended than .187 hitting Don Kelly being Mr. October...again.</p>
<p><b>BULLETS:</b></p>
<p>Bullets are brought to you by Don Kelly...who is somewhere in that pile.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Wheres_kelly_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1509705/wheres_kelly_medium.jpg"></p>
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<li>The Tigers take a 2 games to none lead in the ALDS. The series heads back to Oakland, game 3 scheduled for Tuesday night.</li>
<li>1 batter into the game, the MLB Network announcing team of Matt Vasgersian and Jim Kaat broke out a <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Love_of_the_Game_%28film%29">Billy Chapel</a> reference.</li>
<li> <span>Miguel Cabrera's</span> 1st inning double was his 9th playoff extra base hit. He is tied with <span>Craig Monroe</span> for the 3rd most in franchise history. (Craig Monroe? I never would have guessed) Cabrera trails only Pete Fox (10) and Hammerin' Hank Greenberg (14).</li>
<li>Made up numbers via <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/Chris_Iott/statuses/254982900699787266">Mlive Tigers beat writer Chris Iott</a>: With 18 strikeouts through 11 innings, the A's are on pace to strike out 4,928 times in this series. Higher if the series goes more than 3 games.</li>
<li>Not made up numbers by <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/joe_sheehan/statuses/254982815458934784">Joe Sheehan</a> of Sports Illustrated and NBC: Through 11 innings, the A's have struck out in 42% of their plate appearances in this series.</li>
<li>MLB Network fact: Did you know <span>Brandon Inge</span> played with the Tigers before he joined the A's?</li>
<li>MLB Network harkened back to the Tigers - A's ALCS in 1972, and Campy Campaneris throwing his bat at Tigers' reliever Lerrin LaGrow. Campaneris had so much on the bat, LaGrow had to duck to avoid being clipped in the head. The A's SS was suspended, missing the final 3 games of the ALCS, and the first 7 games of the 1973 season, yet was allowed to play in the World Series. Things were much different in the 70's. Trust me on this, I was there.<br>
</li>
<li>The A's first 2 runs came via small ball. They sent the runner in the 2nd in hopes of staying out of the double play, and would ultimately score. In the 7th, a walk, bunt and single accounted for the 2nd A's run. It's proverbial death by paper cuts.</li>
<li>Allowing a base on balls is bad. Late game walks are EVIL.</li>
<li>Joaquin Benoit had a horrific 8th inning. His tendency to give up the long ball bit the Tigers. But as bad as the home run was, allowing Cespedes to steal bases at will is completely inexcusable. Whatever is wrong with Benoit, it hasn't been fixed. He had an awful 2nd half, allowing 10 home runs (after 4 in the 1st half) while posting a 5.52 ERA.</li>
<li>Why bunts are dumb: Andy Driks hit .322 in 2012. The only regular with a higher batting average is the reigning Triple Crown winner. Dirks already had 1 hit in the game. So lets take the bat out if his hands. I'm sorry, but that's f'n ridiculous.</li>
<li>Why bunts aren't dumb: The Tigers scored. Not exactly by design...but they did score with help from the bunt.<br>
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<li>This was the Tigers 3-4-5 hitters in the bottom of the 9th: Cabrera and his .330 average, .313 hitting Fielder and Kelly, who hit .187 and was released in August. Guess who is the hero?</li>
<li> Kelly couldn't have picked a better time for his first walk off RBI. Jim Leyland has to be sobbing uncontrollably.</li>
<li>Not to be forgotten in lieu of Kelly's heroics, is the utility man doesn't have a chance at winning the game if Infante and Cabrera don't get on base against Balfour, who has been lights out in September.</li>
<li>The ALDS agrees with Kelly. He hit .364 with a 1.000 OPS against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> in 2011. Today, Kelly scored a run and pushed across the game winner. Mr. Early October, indeed.</li>
<li>We have a mini-controversy, everybody. The A's aren't happy with Al Alburquerque kissing the ball before throwing out Cespedes. <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/Stareagle/statuses/255035939724873728">Via Dave Hogg of the AP</a>: Josh Reddick - <i>"We didn't appreciate that. I thought it was immature and not very professional. You don't do that on the field."</i> </li>
<li>Johnny Gomes <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/255042811915821056">had this to say</a>: <i>"He must not believe in baseball gods. Baseball gods take care of that stuff."<br></i> </li>
<li>What did the Tigers think of the kiss? <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/Chris_Iott/statuses/255041888845967360">Kelly had the answer</a>: <i>"We wondered if the ball kissed him back."<br></i> </li>
<li>Bob Melvin = Rasheed Wallace in the post game presser: <i>"Both teams played hard."</i> </li>
<li>Kelly on the <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/TomLeyden/statuses/255041430362390528">final at bat</a>: <i>"Of course he's going to pitch to me."</i><br>
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<p><b>SCREEN CAPS:</b></p>
<p>The A's bitched long and hard about the strike zone.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Drew_upset_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1508701/Drew_upset_medium.jpg"></p>
<p>Taking a dead on throw from Garcia, Laird lays a hard tag on Crisp.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Crisp_out_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1509481/Crisp_out_medium.jpg"></p>
<p>Crisp can't channel his inner Willie Mays or make the basket catch, gives the Tigers 2 runs</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Error_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1509493/error_medium.jpg"></p>
<p>The "Kiss" which has reportedly <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/255034010831568896">infuriated</a> the A's.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Al-al_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1509505/AL-Al_medium.jpg"></p>
<p>Fielder: "WALK OFF WIZARD!"</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Fielder_and_kelly_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1509569/Fielder_and_Kelly_medium.jpg"></p>
<p><b>3 ROARS:</b></p>
<p>Don Kelly: How many times have Tigers fans complained about the inability to generate a sacrifice fly with a runner on 3rd? Too many to every count. But Kelly did just that, giving the Tigers a walk off win.</p>
<p>Miguel Cabrera: A typical afternoon, 3 hits, a run scored and a key 9th inning single setting up Kelly's heroics.</p>
<p>Doug Fister: He's the reason I predicted the Tigers would win both games in Detroit, instead of a split. Fister did not disappoint, with a 7 inning, 6 hit, 2 run, 8 strikeout performance.</p>
<p><b>BONUS ROARS:</b></p>
<p>Omar Infante: 2 hits, started the 9th inning rally.</p>
<p>Al Alburquerque and Phil Coke: Did what Benoit couldn't, pitch a scoreless inning of relief.</p>
<p><b>1 HISS:</b></p>
<p>Joaquin Benoit: UGH., Just...UGH.</p>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/10/6/3465124/tigers-3-athletics-1-detroit-oakland-justin-verlander-11-strikeouts-alds">ALDS GAME 1</a> PLAYER OF THE GAME:</b></p>
<p>It was never in doubt. Justin Verlander was BYB PotG with an overwhelming 95% of the vote.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/10/7/3469390/tigers-5-athletics-4-don-kelly-walk-off-sacrifice-fly-alds-cabrera-balfourAl Beaton2012-10-07T16:01:47-04:002012-10-07T16:01:47-04:00Don Kelly, walk-off wizard
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<p>DON KELLY!</p>
<p>The Tiger who lost his place on the 40-man roster this summer and made his return in September hit a tie-breaking walk-off sacrifice fly Sunday to give Detroit a 5-4 victory in the ALDS.</p>
<p>Detroit has a 2-0 lead in the ALDS as it heads to Oakland to resume play Tuesday.</p>
<p>DON KELLY, hero wizard!</p>
<p>Singles by <span>Omar Infante</span> and <span>Miguel Cabrera</span> to open the ninth gave the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> the opportunity. <span>Prince Fielder</span> was walked intentionally.</p>
<p>Kelly lofted an 0-1 pitch into the air to right field, and it was over.</p>
<p>Earlier the game went back and forth, with Detroit answering each time Oakland scored before adding the game-winner.</p>
<p>The starters in this game combined to allow three runs in a game that had both defensive miscues and normally-reliable bullpens making a mess.</p>
<p>Seven of the nine runs the teams combined for came in the seventh inning or later. A few came on wild pitches.</p>
<p>The highlight you'll see -- and yet another moment for the A's that will be replayed when tales of their woe are told -- came in the seventh inning. Down by a run but with runners on, Cabrera hit what was not an automatic out but an out that could have been made. <span>Coco Crisp</span> running in for the basket catch could only watch in horror as the ball caromed to the ground. Detroit led 3-2.</p>
<p>Down again in the eighth, the Tigers got the first two runners on, bunting them to second and third. With two outs on the board, the A's may have escaped if not for a bounced pitch that went to the backstop. Tie game.</p>
<p>Fister gave up two runs on six hits in seven innings. A's starter Tommy Milone allowed just one run in six innings.</p>
<p><span>Joaquin Benoit</span> asked his Tigers teammates to bail him out after allowing a run to score on a bounced pitch, then allowing the A's to go ahead with a solo home run.</p>
<p><span>Al Alburquerque</span> got the win for Detroit, throwing just three pitches, receiving the last back at the mound,<a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/10/7/3469830/al-alburquerque-baseball-kiss-gif" target="_blank"> kissing the ball </a>and delivering it to first base for the final out in the top of the ninth.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/10/7/3469888/don-kelly-walkoff-sac-Tigers-Athletics-ALDSKurt Mensching2012-10-07T15:20:09-04:002012-10-07T15:20:09-04:00ALDS Game 2 Overflow Thread #3: A's at Tigers
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<p>Ok let's win now.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/10/7/3469714/alds-game-2-overflow-thread-3-as-at-tigersRob Rogacki2012-10-07T14:44:55-04:002012-10-07T14:44:55-04:00ALDS Game 2 Overflow Thread #2: A's at Tigers
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<p>Ugh.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/10/7/3469134/alds-game-2-overflow-thread-2-as-at-tigersRob Rogacki2012-10-07T13:12:27-04:002012-10-07T13:12:27-04:00ALDS Game 2 Overflow: A's at Tigers
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<p>ALL HAIL AVISAIL GARCIA</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/10/7/3469046/alds-game-2-overflow-thread-as-at-tigersRob Rogacki2012-10-07T11:30:18-04:002012-10-07T11:30:18-04:00ALDS game 2, A's at Tigers, 12:07 PM
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<p>It's the A's at Tigers in game 2 of the ALDS. The Tigers try to take a 2-0 stranglehold in the 5 game series while the A's attempt to retake home field advantage!</p> <p></p>
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<div class="pane sports_data_widget current_series clearfix"> <h3>Current Series</h3> <div class="pane-body"> <h4>Tigers lead the series 1-0</h4> <table class="zebra"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="td-first">Sat 10/06</td> <td> WP: <span>Justin Verlander</span> (1 - 0) <br> SV: <span>Jose Valverde</span> <br> LP: <span>Jarrod Parker</span> (0 - 1) <br> </td> <td class="td-last"><span>3 - 1 win</span></td> </tr> <tr style="background: none;"><td colspan="3" style="background: none;"><div class="pane sports_data_widget next_game clearfix"><div class="pane-body"> <p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> <span class="blog-hover-link" id="blog_icon_688069980"><a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/"><img class="sbnstar" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/images/icons/red-star.v37b17e2.png"></a><span class="blog-hover-menu" id="blog_icon_688069980_menu" style="display: none;"><span class="img"><a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/"><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/community_logos/7/athleticsnation_m.gif" alt="Athleticsnation_m"></a></span><span><a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics Nation</a></span></span></span> <br> <span class="blog_link">@ <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> <span class="blog-hover-link" id="blog_icon_1134843674"><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/"><img class="sbnstar" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/images/icons/red-star.v37b17e2.png"></a><span class="blog-hover-menu" id="blog_icon_1134843674_menu" style="display: none;"><span class="img"><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/community_logos/490/blessyouboys_m.gif" alt="Blessyouboys_m"></a></span><span><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/">Bless You Boys</a></span></span></span> </span></p> <p class="game-info"><span>Sunday, Oct 7, 2012, 12:07 PM EDT</span><br> Comerica Park</p> <p class="pitchers"><span>Tom Milone</span> vs <span>Doug Fister</span></p> <p class="weather"> Cloudy. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 50.</p> <p> </p> <div class="coverage"><div class="entry"> <h5><a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/10/7/3466698/2012-alds-game-2-preview-oakland-athletics-at-detroit-tigers">ALDS Game 2 Preview: Athletics at Tigers</a></h5> <p class="byline"><span class="author">posted by <a href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/authors/rob-rogacki">Rob Rogacki</a></span> <span class="time">about 4 hours ago</span></p> <p class="byline">18 comments | 0 recs</p> </div></div> <p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p> </div></div></td></tr> <tr> <td class="td-first">Tue 10/09</td> <td> </td> <td class="td-last"><span>9:07 PM EDT</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-first">Wed 10/10</td> <td> </td> <td class="td-last"><span>8:05 PM EDT</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-first">Thu 10/11</td> <td> </td> <td class="td-last"><span>8:05 PM EDT</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> </div>
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<p><br id="1349619808714"> <strong>Lineups: </strong></p>
<p><strong>A's: </strong>Crisp CF, Drew SS, Cespedes LF, Moss 1B, Reddick RF, Donaldson 3B, Smith DH, Kottaras C, Pennington 2B. Milone P.</p>
<p><strong>Tigers: </strong>Jackson CF, Infante 2B, Cabrera 3B, Fielder 1B, Young DH, Peralta SS, Dirks LF, Garcia RF, Laird C. Fister P</p>
<p><strong>TV ALERT: </strong>ALDS game 2 will be televised exclusively on cable via the MLB Network. There are no over-the-air feeds available.</p>
<p>In SE MI, the game can be found on the following channels: AT&T U-verse (634, 1634 HD), Comcast (740, 258 HD), DirecTv (213, 214 HD), DISH Network (152, 9434 HD), and FAVE (219). WOW does not carry the MLB Network.</p>
<p>Live outside of the Detroit footprint? To locate the MLB Network in your area, head to <a href="http://www.findmlbnetwork.com/">FindMLBNetwork.com</a> and insert your Zip Code.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/10/7/3468236/alds-game-2-as-at-tigers-12-07-p-mAl Beaton2012-10-07T11:00:00-04:002012-10-07T11:00:00-04:00ALDS Game 2 Lineups: A's at Tigers, 12:00 p.m.
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<h5>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a>:</h5>
<p>1. <span>Coco Crisp</span>, CF</p>
<p>2. <span>Stephen Drew</span>, SS</p>
<p>3. <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span>, LF</p>
<p>4. Brandon Moss, 1B</p>
<p>5. <span>Josh Reddick</span>, RF</p>
<p>6. <span>Josh Donaldson</span>, 3B</p>
<p>7. <span>Seth Smith</span>, DH</p>
<p>8. <span>George Kottaras</span>, C</p>
<p>9. <span>Cliff Pennington</span>, 2B</p>
<h5>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a>:</h5>
<p>1. Austin Jackson, CF</p>
<p>2. <span>Omar Infante</span>, 2B</p>
<p>3. <span>Miguel Cabrera</span>, 3B</p>
<p>4. <span>Prince Fielder</span>, 1B</p>
<p>5. <span>Delmon Young</span>, DH</p>
<p>6. <span>Jhonny Peralta</span>, SS</p>
<p>7. <span>Andy Dirks</span>, LF</p>
<p>8. <span>Avisail Garcia</span>, RF</p>
<p>9. <span>Gerald Laird</span>, C</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/10/7/3469140/alds-game-2-lineups-athletics-at-tigersRob Rogacki2012-10-07T06:00:15-04:002012-10-07T06:00:15-04:00ALDS Game 2 Preview: A's at Tigers, 12:00 p.m.
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<figcaption>Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Doug Fister will look to put the Tigers up 2-0 in today's early start against the Oakland Athletics.</p> <h4>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a>
</h4>
<p><b>Series:</b> 1-0, Detroit</p>
<p><b>Time/Place:</b> 12:00 p.m., Comerica Park</p>
<p><b>SB Nation Blog:</b> <a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics Nation</a></p>
<p><b>Media:</b> MLB Network, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&affiliateId=mlbMENU#date=10/7/2012" target="_blank">Postseason.TV</a>, <a href="http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/schedule/radioaffiliates.jsp" target="_blank">Tigers Radio Network</a></p>
<p><b>Pitching Matchup:</b> LHP <span>Tommy Milone</span> (13-10, 3.74 ERA) vs. RHP <span>Doug Fister</span> (10-10, 3.45 ERA)</p>
<p>Milone was great for the A's this season and had a great stretch run, but all anyone seems to be focusing on lately are his home/road splits this year. In their defense, they are pretty awful. Milone had a 4.83 ERA and 1.522 WHIP on the road this year. At home, these numbers were 2.74 and 1.054, respectively. The irony? Milone was actually excellent on the road down the stretch. He had four road starts in August and September, two of which were against playoff teams, and allowed a combined five earned runs in 22 2/3 innings.</p>
<p>The silver lining in that last sentence for Tigers fans is that three of the five runs that Milone allowed in that stretch came in just 4 2/3 innings at Comerica Park on September 20th. He also pitched seven innings of one-run ball in May, striking out six Tigers hitters. Don't be surprised to see <span>Avisail Garcia</span> -- who had two hits off of Milone in September -- in right field today.</p>
<p>Even before Fister became the tour de force that he has evolved into in a Tigers uniform, he was a very good pitcher against the A's. He is 5-4 with a 2.54 ERA against Oakland in his career. As a Tiger, Fister is 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA against the A's in two starts. One of the most promising things about Fister's second half as it pertains to this game is the increase in his strikeout-to-walk ratio. He was humming along at a respectable 3.20 K/BB rate in the first half, but this jumped to 4.05 after the All-Star Break. This is a very promising sign against a disciplined A's lineup (more on that below).</p>
<p><b>Three things</b></p>
<p>1. I was wrong about shutting down <span>Alex Avila</span> for the rest of the season. I am glad that I was.</p>
<p>2. I have nothing but respect and admiration for <span>Pat Neshek</span> after his performance last night.</p>
<p>3. Seriously, we are blessed to have <span>Justin Verlander</span> on this team.</p>
<p><b>More on strikeouts</b></p>
<p>While the A's struck out more often than any other AL team this season, they actually showed excellent plate discpline. As a team, the A's only swung at 28% of the pitches that they saw outside of the strike zone, second only to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a>' ridiculous 27% O-swing percentage. So how did they strike out so often? By having one of the worst contact percentages in baseball, at 77.8%. While Verlander became very effective in the later innings of last night's game, I'd expect that Fister will be better early in the game.</p>
<p><b>Outlook</b></p>
<p>While the early start isn't exactly convenient for either team, I think that it puts the A's at a much greater disadvantage. If you think about it, they are basically waking up to play a game at 9 in the morning. Add in the fact that they are facing a red-hot Fister and you've got a recipe for disaster... if you're an Oakland fan. If the Tigers can get over the fact that Milone is a soft-tossing lefty, this could shape up to be a fairly easygoing afternoon.</p>
<p><b>Prediction</b></p>
<p><b></b>Fister puts the A's on the brink of elimination with a masterful performance.</p>
https://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/10/7/3466698/2012-alds-game-2-preview-oakland-athletics-at-detroit-tigersRob Rogacki