ALCS Game 1: Yanks Fall 6-4 To Tigers in 12

Despite even more late inning magic from Raul Ibanez the Yankees weren’t able to pull off a win in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series losing to the Detroit Tigers 6-4 in 12 innings.  Aside from the 9^th inning the Yankees bats were once again abysmal, not getting the job done with runners on in opportune situations. Andy Pettitte was solid but got nothing from the Yankee offense to back him up.

The first inning was a rough way to start for the Yankees when they loaded the bases after Detroit starter Doug Fister walked three batters. With two outs Alex Rodriguez dug in and hit a hard ground ball to shortstop where Jhonny Peralta made a great back hand play and just threw out Raul Ibanez at second base.

The bottom of the second inning was also an unfortunate inning for the Yankees. After two quick outs Russell Martin, Derek Jeter and Ichiro all singled loading the bases for Robinson Cano. Cano drilled a line drive right back at Doug Fister hitting him in the shoulder bouncing to Jhonny Peralta at shortstop who made a heady play and got Cano at first. The replay showed Cano may have been safe.

In the sixth inning the Tigers finally put some runs on the board off of Pettitte. Austin Jackson led off with a triple down the right field line. After Omar Infante flew out, Girardi decided to intentionally walk Miguel Cabrera to pitch to Prince Fielder. Fielder lined a base hit to center field scoring Jackson putting the Tigers up 1-0. The next hitter Delmon Young ripped a single to right field scoring Cabrera giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead. Pettitte went 6 2/3 gave up two runs on seven hits and struck out five.

In the bottom of the sixth the Yankees had another chance to put runs on the board and again failed. Mark Teixeira reached on an error when second basemen Omar Infante bobbled the ball. Raul Ibanez then drilled a double to right field putting runners on 2^nd and 3^rd for A-Rod. He struck out. Fister then walked Nick Swisher loading the bases with one out. Curtis Granderson and Russell Martin each struck out.

The Tigers added two more in the 8^th. Delmon Young took Derek Lowe deep to left field, putting the Tigers up 3-0. It was Young’s first home run of this postseason. The next batter Johnny Peralta drilled a double to left field ending Lowe’s night. Boone Logan came on and got Andy Dirks to ground out moving Peralta to third. The next batter Avisail Garcia singled scoring Peralta, putting the Tigers up 4-0.

In the ninth inning the Yankees finally scored some runs off of Detroit closer Jose Valverde. Russell Martin singled to start the inning. Derek Jeter struck out. Ichiro Suzuki then turned on a Valverde fastball drilling a line drive home run down the right field line just inside the foul pole making the score 4-2 Tigers. Valverde then got Cano to strike out, walked Teixeira bringing Raul Ibanez up representing the tying run. Ibanez in what is becoming one of the most memorable postseasons in recent memory drilled a two run game tying home to right center field.

In the 12^th the Tigers pushed two across against David Phelps on Delmon Young and Andy Dirks RBI base hits which ended up being the winning runs.

The Yankees will play the Tigers again on Saturday afternoon. Anibal Sanchez will start for the Tigers while Hiroki Kuroda gets the start for the Yankees. Pregame coverage will begin at 3:30, first pitch at 4:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.