Yankees Loose Jeter For Season To Ankle As Tigers Take 1-0 Series Lead.
Just one night after celebrating their ALDS victory over the Baltimore Orioles, the pinstripes of the boogie down were back again last night for game 1 of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers. Andy Pettitte who holds the MLB record for the most postseason wins at 19 was tapped for game 1 starting duties of the ALCS which he would exceed expectations of pitching at 40 years old after missing most of this year’s season. Andy would only allow 2 hits and struck out 6 in 5 innings but wouldn’t get run support help from a deep Yankees lineup that
In the top of the 6th, the Tigers would get their first run production of the game with a triple from Austin Jackson followed by a walk to Miguel Cabrera. With two men on base for the Tigers and one out remaining for the inning, Detroit would capitalize on their opportunity to score with back-to-back singles from Prince Fielder and Delmon Young to bring in both runners making it a 2-0 game.
Jumping to the top of the 8th, Yankees skipper Joe Giradi would substitute Derek Lowe in the game, but he would make things worse giving up a 349 ft. homer to Delmon Young. On the next ensuing at bat, Jhonny Peralta would double to center setting up the Tigers for more scoring opportunities. Avisail Garcia would single to center driving in Peralta as the game was now 4-0.
In the bottom of the 9th down 4-0, Russell Martin would start things off with a single to center. Ichiro Suzuki would homer to right bringing in Martin to make it a 4-2 game. Mark Teixeira would then be walked a batter later, with Raul Ibanez showing his clutch gene with a homer to right on Jose Valverde to tie the game at 4 all.
In extra innings, Detroit would get run support in the top of the 12th as David Robertson would walk Miguel Cabrera with Delmon Young following suit to deep right to give Detroit a 5-4 lead (Don Kelly would pinch-run for Young). Jhonny Peralta would then immediately proceed to reach first base on an infield single. Andy Dirks would reach base on another infield single as Kelly would score to make it a 6-4 game and Drew Smyly would close the game out in the bottom half striking out two and forcing and ground-out.
Game 2 tonight virtually becomes a must win for New York as the next three games are in Detroit under the 2-3-2 format. Hiroki Kuroda takes the mound for the Yankees with Anibal Sanchez pitching for the Tigers. With Jeter out for the season, Alex Rodriguez is going to be under a heavy microscope tonight as he’s going to have to produce some hitting if their team wants any shot at this series.