Tigers and Yankees battle in American League Division Series

Thursday, 11:41pm

Jose Valverde strikes out Alex Rodriguez and the Tigers are on their way to Texas. 3-2 winners in Game 5 and in the series.

Thursday, 11:39pm

Robinson Cano lined out to center. Tigers are one out away, with Alex Rodriguez up to bat.

Thursday, 11:38pm

Valverde gets Curtis Granderson to pop out to left. Tigers two outs away.

Thursday, 11:33pm

Mariano Rivera did what he does best: sees three batters, sits three batters down. Tigers turn to Valverde for the bottom of the ninth.

Thursday, 11:32pm

Turning things over to Brad Galli as I get set for postgame. 
 

Thursday, 11:28pm

Derek Jeter almost sent this place into a frenzy.  A deep fly ball to the track in right field settled in Don Kelly's glove.  You could almost sense that he might hit it out - it just had that feeling - and truthfully, it looked gone off the bat.  Valverde will have to get it done against Grandy, Cano and A-Rod. 
 

Thursday, 11:07pm

Without question, one of the most dramatic postseason innings for the Tigers right there.  Benoit surrendered a run, but comes up with two big strikeouts - A-Rod and Swisher.   I'm a little worried about how they plan to get through the 8th.
 

Thursday, 10:47pm

Max is done for the night.  Raise your hand if back in March you had Don Kelly, Austin Jackson, Ryan Raburn, Brandon Inge and Ramon Santiago all on the field in the 7th inning of a decisive Game 5 in the ALDS.
 

Thursday, 10:25pm

Max Scherzer surrendered a long flyout to Mark Teixeira and a single to Jorge Posada, but escaped the sixth inning unscathed in relief of Doug Fister.   The Yankees bullpen is thinning, with only Luis Ayala, Freddy Garcia, Mariano Rivera, David Robertson and Cory Wade left.  Wade and Robertson have both warmed up tonight already.
 

Thursday, 10:10pm

The Tigers not only survived the appearance by CC Sabathia, they scored another run against him.  CC leaves the game after walking Jhonny Peralta, but Rafael Soriano gets Ramon Santiago to ground into a double play. 
 

Thursday, 10:04pm

This one is far from over.  Robinson Cano just parked one to right off of Doug Fister to get the Yankees on the board.  Fister left one right over the heart of the plate and Cano drilled it. 
 

Thursday, 9:56pm

During the 5th inning, the Yankees announced Ivan Nova was pulled from the game with a tight right forearm.  That announcement was roundly received with speculation from media members in the press box and fans. 

Tyler Bieber (@TylerABieber) wrote, "Tight right forearm from Girardi pulling him so hard."
Kevin Hollifield (@KevinHollifield) wrote, "I'm sure he would have been fine if the Tigers weren't winning."
Doug Podell (@DougPodell) wrote, "Pleasssse."

Injury or not, the move has greatly affected the Yankees bullpen tonight.
 

Thursday, 9:41pm

The drama continues.  Doug Fister gets out of a one-out, bases loaded jam by getting Russell Martin and Brett Gardner to both pop up to end the fourth.   Now it's CC Sabathia, making his first career relief appearance.  If this goes to extra innings, the Yankees will be extremely short-handed in the bullpen. 

Thursday, 9:18pm

The chants go from Huuuuughes to Boooone as Boone Logan takes over on the mound for New York.  After allowing a single to Alex Avila (Avila's first hit of the series), Logan strikes out Ramon Santiago, who hit .320 from the right side of the plate this year. 
 

Thursday, 8:42pm

Strategy?  Panic?  Call it what you want, but Joe Girardi has pulled Ivan Nova after two innings and turned to Phil Hughes on the mound.  Hughes finished the regular season with a 5-5 record and a 5.79 ERA.
 

Thursday, 8:32pm

Doug Fister can control the emotion of this game with another solid inning in the 2nd.  Ivan Nova injected some life back into the Yankees fans by stranding Magglio Ordonez after a lead-off double.  Now it's up to Fister to answer.
 

Thursday, 8:14pm

A little life was taken out of Yankee Stadium as the Tigers got back to back homers from Don Kelly and Delmon Young.  The D&D team knocked 'em out on consecutive pitches.   Fans weren't even settled into their seats yet and it was already 2-0 Detroit.
 

Thursday, 8:01pm

David Cone just threw out the ceremonial first pitch as the crowd settles into Yankee Stadium for tonight's game. 
 

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Tuesday, 11:48pm

The ALDS will be decided in New York. The Tigers fall, 10-1 to the Yankees. Curtis Granderson's highlight-reel catches and 5th inning RBI carved out the victory for New York. A. J. Burnett gets the win and Rick Porcello takes the loss.

Tuesday, 11:34pm

Any hope of a Tigers rally will have to wait until the ninth inning. Detroit goes 1-2-3 in the bottom half of the eighth.

Tuesday, 11:29pm

A 6-run eighth inning and all of a sudden this one is lopsided. 10-1 Yankees.

Tuesday, 11:11pm

Brett Gardner continues his assault on the Tigers. An RBI single has the Yankees up 7-1.

Tuesday, 11:04pm

Jesus Montero knocks in a two-run single. Yankees lead 6-1 in the top of the eighth.

Tuesday, 10:52pm

Alex Rodriguez has arrived to the ALDS, ladies and gentlemen. His first hit of the series is a single in the eighth inning.
 

Tuesday, 10:46pm

I'm officially handing off blogging duties to Brad Galli to change our luck.  Let's see if it works.
 

Tuesday, 10:33pm

Curtis Granderson with the catch of the postseason - laying out in left center to rob Jhonny Peralta of a hit that may have scored Don Kelly.  Still 4-1 #Yankees over #Tigers
 

Tuesday, 10:06pm

The life has been taken out of Comerica Park as Rick Porcello has surrendered two runs in the fifth inning.  Alex Rodriguez knocks in yet another run without getting a hit, flying deep to center to bring home Derek Jeter on a sacrifice fly.  The more troubling play was Curtis Granderson's run-scoring double.  Curtis connected on an 0-2 delivery.  It's 4-1 headed to the bottom of the fifth. 

 

Tuesday, 9:48pm

It was a simple, one-word analysis from my cohort Brad Galli when the ball went off the bat of Victor Martinez.  "Gone."  2-1 Yankees.

Tuesday, 9:21pm

So far a tale of two centerfielders.  Curtis Granderson able to snag Don Kelly's liner to center and save at least two runs.  Austin Jackson unable to nab Derek Jeter's drive to center and two runs come in for New York.  Tough play for AJax.  Needed a perfect jump off the bat and didn't get it.
 

Tuesday, 9:10pm

AJ Burnett cruised through the second inning, living in the strike zone to retire Avila, Peralta and Betemit in order. 
 

Tuesday, 8:59pm

An eventful first inning as both teams get stellar defensive plays to end the inning.  Jhonny Peralta went far to his left for a grounder in the top half and Curtis Granderson made a lunging catch of Don Kelly's liner to center to bail AJ Burnett out of a bases-loaded jam. 
 

Tuesday, 8:31pm

How bout Todd Jones.  He comes out to throw the first pitch wearing a Tigers jacket.  As he reaches the mound, he takes it off to unveil a Jose Valverde jersey and proceeds to imitate Papa Grande, complete with the post-pitch celebration.  Solid.    61 degrees at gametime.  Also solid.
 

Tuesday, 8:09pm

I'm settled in next to Dennis Fithian from 97.1 The Ticket and my man Brad Galli in the right field stands at Comerica Park.  I don't know how I feel about all these beers being walked right by me.  Jeez... a working man can't catch a break. 

You couldn't ask for a better night of weather night for Game 4.  Join the ongoing conversation tonight on Twitter.  You can follow me @TomLeyden.   

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Monday 11:54pm

Jose Valverde got the job done again, striking out Derek Jeter to end Game 3 and give the Tigers a 5-4 win.  Game 4 tomorrow night and the Yankees season will rest on the performance of AJ Burnett, who finished the regular season 11-11 with a 5.15 ERA.

Detroit will counter with Rick Porcello, making his first postseason start after a 14-9 regular season.  Porcello was 1-0 against the Yankees this season, throwing 120 pitches in a seven-inning performance in which he allowed just two runs. 

Porcello also started the pressure-packed "Game 163" against Minnesota in 2009 and was very effective though he was pulled early. 
 

Monday, 11:17pm

Justin Verlander was hit in the left shoulder by a line-drive foul off the bat of Don Kelly in the bottom of the eighth inning.  It looked like he was already done for the night.   Jose Valverde was 49 for 49 in the regular season.  We'll see if it can continue in the postseason.
 

Monday, 11:24pm

I can already see the venom oozing off the fingertips of the NY tabloid writers if it ends like this and the meat of the Yankees order is 1-21 in this series.  Must-read copy tomorrow. 
 

Monday, 11:14pm

Delmon Young continues to deliver for the TIgers.  His acquisition may go down as one of the best in Dave Dombrowski's tenure as general manager in Detroit.  The first-pitch shot to right makes it 5-4 through seven.
 

Monday, 11:03pm

For the second time this series, Brett Gardner has delivered a big two-strike, two-run hit.  This time he doubles to left center to knock in a pair on a 3-2 pitch from Justin Verlander.  4-4 in the 7th.
 

Monday, 10:53pm

CC Sabathia had two outings this year where he was knocked out after 5 2/3 innings, most recently September 16 against Toronto.  Tonight's 5 1/3 innings is CC's shortest outing of the season.  He finishes the night allowing four runs on seven hits and a very costly six walks.
 

Monday, 10:49pm

In a season where he's been beaten up more than any catcher in the majors, Alex Avila just tweaked his foot/ankle on the sacrifice bunt play.  He stepped on the foot of Robinson Cano, who was covering first base.  Tigers trainer Kevin Rand tended to Avila on the bench.  It's 4-2 through six innings.
 

Monday, 10:42pm

Tigers caught a little break on that double from Jhonny Peralta.  A bad hop off one of the cushions on the fence made it ricochet left, allowing Don Kelly to easily score from first to make it 4-2.
 

Monday, 10:38pm

Back to 2006 for another post - who can forget Joel Zumaya's strikeout

of Alex Rodriguez in Game 2?  That Justin Verlander K of A-Rod seemed eerily similar.   Bases weren't loaded, it wasn't late in the game, but I guess A-Rod does that to you.
 

Monday, 10:21pm

Ramon Santiago reminding me of Alexis Gomez in the 2006 ALCS.  Two big hits and two big RBIs as the TIgers take their first lead of the night.  3-2.
 

Monday, 10:12pm

One of the nastiest innings we've seen from Justin Verlander.  10 pitches, three strikeouts.  Simply ridiculous. 

Monday, 9:47pm

Anyone who's played baseball knows the look I just saw on Miguel Cabrera's face in the dugout.  After grounding into a run-scoring double play, he was furious with himself.  Disgusted.  He knows the Tigers have left runs on the basepaths tonight. 

Usually when the best player on the team shows you a look like that, he comes up with a big hit later in the game.  Store that away for later. 
 

Monday, 9:41pm

Jim Leyland put Ramon Santiago in the lineup because he had the best average against CC Sabathia of the middle infielders. Looks like a good call right now as Ramon just drove in teh first TIgers run of the night. 
 

Monday, 9:25pm

CC Sabathia is throwing a lot of pitches and he's walked four Tigers, but he's been bailed out by two double plays in the first two innings.  Tiger batters need to be more patient with runners on base, particularly when the runners on base are guys who've worked a walk. 
 

Monday, 9:10pm

Without question, this game already has the most intensity of any of the first three.  Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson delivered hits and scored runs for New York in the first inning to claim a 2-0 lead.  CC Sabathia threw a lot of pitches in the bottom half, walking three, but escaped unscathed. 
 

Sunday, 6:44pm

It's all square.  Tigers fans need to take a walk around the block after that ninth inning, but Papa Grande got it done.  Game 3 will start tomorrow night at 8:37 at Comerica Park.  It's Justin and CC.
 

Sunday, 6:32pm

Jose Valverde never makes it easy.  He's pitching in the bottom of the ninth and the Yankees have drawn within 5-3. 
 

Sunday, 5:28pm

Joaquin Benoit has been brought in to relieve Scherzer after Max allowed the first two runners to reach in the bottom of the 7th.  Tigers still on top 4-0
 

Sunday, 5:21pm

Max Scherzer at 97 pitches entering the 7th inning.  No leadoff batters have reached to this point.

Sunday, 4:52pm

The Tigers are giving their pitching staff some more runs to work with.  Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez both knocked in runs in the sixth and it's 4-0.  Max still holding Yankees at bay.
 

Sunday, 4:18pm

This is ridiculous.  TVs working overtime in the sports office.  Max Scherzer has retired 10 straight Yankees batters and the Lions are knocking on the door. 
 

Sunday, 4:00pm

You can sense a different energy from the Tigers today.  A little more pep in the step.  They were definitely energized by Cabrera's home run.  Even Miguel just came up with a stellar defensive play, snagging a foul pop along behind first and high-fiving fans who were reaching for the ball as he ran by.

Sunday, 3:15pm

It's exactly the start the Tigers needed, as Miguel Cabrera muscles one out over the right field fence to give Detroit a 2-0 lead over the Yankees before Max Scherzer even takes the mound.

Sunday, 3:07pm

I'm back in Detroit to man the sports desk today as the Tigers and Yankees square off in New York.  For more immediate conversation, follow me on Twitter @TomLeyden.  I'll be posting periodically on WXYZ.com as well.
 

Sunday, 2:00am

We just returned to our hotel after gathering postgame reaction in the Tigers clubhouse and instead of firing off a bunch of quotes, I wanted to share with you the general theme we heard from the players after this one.

The Tigers were impressed with Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova.  He hasn't lost since June and it looked like it tonight.  Nova was sharp, but not unbeatable, and the Tigers had to feel they blew a few opportunities.

Sending Alex Avila is a mistake third base coach Gene Lamont will have to live with.  If Alex stays on third, you're looking at a bases loaded, one-out situation with Wilson Betemit at the plate.  His fly ball to left field would have scored a run and the Tigers would have been up 2-1.

Decisions like that can cost you a game and at the very least can shift momentum to the other team.

The other key plays were in the top of the sixth.  Austin Jackson said the play which appeared to be a hit-and-run was actually a straight steal.  Magglio Ordonez chose to swing at the pitch and unfortunately grounded into a double play.

Compound that with the diving catch by Nick Swisher of Delmon Young's fly to right and New York was in business.

Doug Fister got in trouble in the bottom half of the sixth, but was one pitch away from escaping unscathed.  He hung an 0-2 curveball to Brett Gardner and two runs scored on the ensuing single.

At 4-1, you had hope, but when Robinson Cano knocked an Al Alburquerque delivery deep over the fence in

right, this party was over.

Bad decisions, bad luck and loss of momentum - the unholy trinity that cost the Tigers in Game One.
 

Saturday, 11:01pm

I'm getting in position to do postgame interviews.  I will check back in after the game to share some thoughts from the clubhouse.  We'll be in hustle mode trying to get some postgame reaction on the air for you after the Nebraska/Wisconsin game.
 

Saturday, 10:24pm

The stadium exploded when Robinson Cano went deep for a grand slam off Al Alburquerque.  Very reminiscent of the scene at Yankee Stadium when Tino Martinez hit a grand slam to right in Game One of the 1998 World Series. 

Saturday, 10:11pm

After the big defensive effort, the Yankees opened it up in an inning where Detroit needed to get out clean.  Brett Gardner's 0-2 single to drive in a pair of runs may prove to be the dagger tonight for the Tigers.

Saturday, 9:55pm

Momentum clearly on the side of New York after a big hit from Robinson Cano and then a lucky break on a hit-and-run attempt from the Tigers.  With Jackson running and Cano covering second base, Ordonez grounds right to the bag at second, where Cano steps on the base and throws to first for double play.

On the next pitch, Delmon Young flies to right and Nick Swisher makes a diving catch.  Momentum.

Saturday, 9:34pm

Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont has not made any new friends after sending home Alex Avila on Jhonny Peralta's single to center.

Saturday, 9:24pm

A little gamesmanship, perhaps, as Ivan Nova throws behind Victor Martinez, one batter after Doug Fister came up high to Russell Martin as he was attempting to bunt.  

 

Saturday, 9:10pm

After allowing hits to the first two batters he faced, Doug Fister has settled in, retiring six straight Yankees and striking out four.  Ivan Nova equally effective for the Yankees thus far, keeping the TIgers off the basepaths.

 

Saturday, 8:15pm

Wind, rain and a drop of temperature - we've seen it all in the last two hours.  All signs are positive that any potential threat of further rain may be heading to the northwest, away from Yankee Stadium.

Doug Fister is loosening up on the field and fans are settling in with jackets on tonight. 

Follow me on twitter @TomLeyden and join the in-game conversation.

 

Saturday, 5:55pm

It's going to be one of those cross-your-fingers nights.  The rain has been off and on since 3pm and the forecast is very iffy in the Bronx. 

Tigers Manager Jim Leyland made it clear he hopes MLB is smart when it comes to starting this game or not.  He doesn't want to burn another set of starting pitchers. 

Max Scherzer stepped to the media room moments ago and talked about being thrown into the equation for Game 2 Sunday afternoon. 

Max said his perceived struggles on the road are "coincidental" and he worries less about the stadium and more about the lineup.  He also said he's not thinking too much about his start against New York in Yankee Stadium during the first series of the year.

We'll be on standby keeping an eye on the radar as this one approaches. 

 

Saturday, 4:20pm

Another day in New York, another set of rain showers. We're still more than four away from first pitch and the local meteorologists are saying we should get the game in tonight, but they were singing a similar tune yesterday afternoon.

When and if Game One resumes in the bottom of the 2nd inning tonight, the Yankees will instantly be at a distinct advantage.

Last night's lineup was constructed to face lefty CC Sabathia. The Yankees will send Ivan Nova to the mound tonight and without making wholesale changes, Jim Leyland will have to keep Brandon Inge and Ryan Raburn in the lineup.

Every rule change usually has a down side, and this is a clear black mark against the stipulation Major League Baseball made a number of years ago after the Rays/Phillies World Series of 2008 was affected by a number of rain delays.

More from the stadium as game time approaches.

Gene Kelly would have a field day here.

Friday, 10;30pm

The rain and the radar are just not cooperating and the game has been suspended until tomorrow. Under Major League rules the game will pick up Saturday night in the 2nd inning tied at 1. However, the forecast calls for rain tomorrow too.

Doug Fister will pitch for the Tigers, while Ivan Nova will go for the Yankees. Game 2 will be Sunday at 3:07 p.m. It had originally been a travel day.

Friday, 9:50pm

After a brief window of clear skies, the rain has started falling again in the Bronx and the tarp is back on the infield.

Friday, 3:20pm

After an eventful trip north up 1st Avenue, across the Willis Street Bridge and onto the Major Deegan Expressway, we've arrived at Yankee Stadium for Game One.

The weather forecast looks promising for tonight's 8:37 start.  Rain and wind should not be an issue.

The Tigers will take batting practice at 6:40, just moments after the gates open to fans. 

As you might expect, Yankees fans are very confident the Bombers will win this series.  New York had