Cabrera Comes Up Big With Walk-off HR In The 10th.
Sunday afternoon in the rubber match-up of this 3 game series, pitted the Detroit Tigers against the struggling Cleveland Indians. The Indians, who were previously on a 8 game losing streak heading into Sundays game, only had 3 total runs in the previous two games against the Tigers. Led by Shin-Soo Choo, Michael Brantley and Travis Hafner, they would have 3 runs by the third inning in which what initially looked to be their first game breaking the ceiling in the runs department in quite some time.
In the second inning, Tigers manager Jim Leyland and catcher Gerald Laird would get tossed from the game by umpires due to missed call at first base where Gerald Laird was safe but was called out on a tag by Chris Seddon which was visibly not inconclusive. Fast-forward to the 9th with the score tied at 5, the bases were loaded by the Tigers with only one out, but Quintin Berry grounded into a 3-2-3 double play. In the Top of the 10th, Travis Hafner and Ezequiel Carrera would both hit back-to-back homers to put their team up by 2. In bottom half of the inning with only 1 out left, Alex Avila and pinch-hitter Andy Dirks would both get walked followed by Austin Jackson and Omar Infante bringing in 3 ribbies to tie the game. Tied at 8, Chris Perez would stay in the game but would become the victim to a walk-off HR by player of the game Miguel Cabrera who finished the 2-out 5-run come from behind victory.
With the wildcard race so tight in the American League (in which 5 teams are only separated by two games), Yesterday the Tigers went out and acquired first baseman Jeff Baker from the Cubs in trade waivers. Joining an already elite cast of hitters such as Miguel Cabrera, Austin Jackson, Prince Fielder; Baker should provide depth for the Tigers come playoff time to compete with the legit contenders in the AL. Jeff Baker was activated yesterday and could possibly make his Tigers debut tonight. This should definitely make up for some of the loss in the Tigers hitting department due to Victor Martinez being out for the season with knee surgery. Detroit now prepares for an important four game series against the New York Yankees which starts at at 7:00pm ET on ESPN. Game 1 features Tigers ace, Justin Verlander and Yankees new pitching sensation Ivan Nova.