Price vs Richards
Tigers 8, Angels 5
A Yoenis Cespedes grand slam in the top of the 6th erased a 4-0 deficit and another monumental David Price post season bed wetting. While the Angels did strike back for 2 runs in the bottom of the inning Cespedes' might blow gave life to the Tigers. Detroit then attacked the Angels pen to score 4 runs over the final 3 innings. Alex Wilson got the win and Joakim Soria got the save. Price, who gave up 5 runs in 5 2/3 innings was off the hook. Lost in the shuffle was a 3-4 day by Mike Trout, which included a solo blast. Defensive replacement Andrew Romine singled home two insurance run in the 9th.
Tigers lead series 1-0
GAME 2
Verlander vs Weaver
Tigers 4, Angels 2
In a battle between two fading aces, both hurlers performed quite admirably. Justin Verlander, who just a few years before, was the most dominating pitcher in the AL was able to recapture some of that magic with a 7 inning / 2 run performance where he fanned 6. Gorzelanny and Wilson were able to bridge the 8th inning gap to hand the ball off to Soria, who notched his second save of the series. Ian Kinsler (3-4) had 2 RBI's and a solo shot to account for half of Detroit's run production. Calhoun and Murphy each had solo shots for the halos.
Tigers lead series 2-0
GAME 3 - Comerica Park
Santiago vs Sanchez
Tigers 7, Angels 6
After a 5 run bottom of the 4th the hometown Tigers had a comfortable 6-1 lead. Unfortunately no lead is every comfortable when Anibal Sanchez is your starting pitcher. The spunky Halos refused to go down fighting and began chipping away against what looked like a firm Detroit lead. Halo manager Douglas Zaner made move after move to get his team back in it. In total he used 25 players from his 40 man roster in a group effort that culminated in a well crafted game tying squeeze play by Giavotella in the top of the 8th. Detroit's pen could not hold the lead and extra innings loomed. Angel Nesbitt, who pitched a perfect 9th for Detroit duplicated his effort in the 10th. The Angels started the 10th with Wright on the hill, who quickly gave up a leadoff single to Nick Castellanos. J.McCann's simple 4-6 fielder's choice provided the first out, but a wild pitch saw McCann move into scoring position. When reliever Shoemaker fanned Iglesias for out number two it looked as if the game would head to the 11th inning. On Shoemaker's first offering to centerfielder Anthony Gose, Detroit's fleet footed outfielder lined a shot to right field for the walk off series clincher. AL MVP Mike Trout did his job setting up the tying run and posting a .455 series average. His partner in crime, Albert Pujols hit a measly .182. Detroit didn't get much production from their big bat (Miggy), but the supporting cast hit a robust .291 and their pen was pretty sharp. Special thanks to Douglas for having a flexible schedule to play around my interruptions. As always Douglas battled, but just couldn't overcome these upstart Tigers who refuse to believe that they are a 14 seed.
Tigers win series 3-0
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