Justin Verlander Throws Complete Game Shutout as the Tigers Advance to the ALCS

After a performance like this one, I think it's time to say: welcome to the postseason, Justin Verlander!

The Detroit Tigers beat the Oakland Athletics tonight 6-0 to win their ALDS series in 5 games.

The Tigers scored first tonight in the 3rd inning after a single by Omar Infante who advanced to 2nd base on a wild pitch, then scored on an Austin Jackson double. Quintin Berry came up next and had a sacrifice bunt to get Jackson to 3rd base, then Jackson scored on a wild pitch and the Tigers had a 2-0 lead.

The Tigers added to their lead in the 7th inning after a single by Jhonny Peralta, who stole 2nd base (no, he really did), then Omar Infante hit a single to set up runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out for Austin Jackson who hit a single to drive in Peralta. Quintin Berry came up next and drew a walk, then with the bases loaded, Miguel Cabrera was hit-by-the-pitch which scored Infante. Prince Fielder was next and hit a bloop single to drive in Jackson, then Delmon Young reached on an error, but it was enough to score Berry and the Tigers had a 6-0 lead.

Justin Verlander was amazing tonight. He threw a 4 hit complete game shutout, walking 1 and striking out 11 batters; it's his 2nd win of the postseason.

Doug Fister (0-0 2.57 ERA) will pitch game 1 of the ALCS against either the Orioles or Yankees.

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Don Kelly Hits a Walkoff Sacrifice Fly in a 5-4 Tigers Win

The Detroit Tigers beat the Oakland Athletics today 5-4 to give the Tigers a 2-0 ALDS lead.

The Athletics took a 1-0 lead in the 3rd inning, but the Tigers responded in the bottom of the 3rd inning with a double by Miguel Cabrera, single by Prince Fielder, then Delmon Young hit a slow ground ball to score Cabrera and it was a 1-1 game.

Doug Fister allowed a run in the 7th inning which gave the Athletics a 2-1 lead and his day was done. He pitched 7 innings, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits, walking 2 and striking out 8 batters.

The Tigers responded in the 7th inning though with singles from Austin Jackson and Omar Infante, then Miguel Cabrera came up and hit a fly ball, but Coco Crisp dropped the ball and it allowed Jackson and Infante to score which gave the Tigers a 3-2 lead.

Joaquin Benoit came in for relief and allowed 2 runs in the 8th inning to give the Athletics a 4-3 lead.

The Tigers didn't give up, though. They came back in the 8th inning with singles from Delmon Young and Jhonny Peralta (then Don Kelly and Danny Worth pinch ran for them). Andy Dirks then had a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up to 2nd and 3rd with 1 out for a pinch-hitting Quintin Berry who struck out on 3 pitches. With Alex Avila pinch-hitting and 2 outs, a wild pitch scored Don Kelly and it was a 4-4 game.

Phil Coke came in and got the first 2 outs of the 9th inning, but after allowing runners on 1st and 3rd, he was pulled. Al Alburquerque came in and got the final out of the 9th inning to keep it a 4-4 game; he ended up winning the game.

In the bottom of the 9th inning, Omar Infante and Miguel Cabrera hit singles, then Prince Fielder was intentionally walked to load the bases with 1 out for Don Kelly who hit a sacrifice fly which drove in Infante and the Tigers won.

The Tigers head to Oakland for game 3 of the ALDS as Anibal Sanchez pitches against Brett Anderson.

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Justin Verlander Strikes Out 11 Batters in a 3-1 Tigers Win

The Detroit Tigers beat the Oakland Athletics tonight 3-1 to take a 1-0 lead in the ALDS.

The Tigers were down 1-0 after the top of the 1st inning, but responded in the bottom of the 1st with a leadoff double from Austin Jackson, then an infield single from Quintin Berry to give the Tigers runners at 1st and 3rd with no outs for Miguel Cabrera who grounded into a double play, but Jackson scored and it was a 1-1 game.

The Tigers took the lead in the 3rd inning after a double by Omar Infante, then Quintin Berry hit an infield single that allowed Omar Infante to score after a fielding error and the Tigers led 2-1.

Alex Avila added to the Tigers lead in the 5th inning with a solo home run; it's his first of the postseason and the Tigers had a 3-1 lead.

Justin Verlander pitched great tonight. He went 7 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits, walking 4 and striking out 11 batters; he earned his first win of the postseason.

Joaquin Benoit came in for relief and pitched a scoreless 8th inning, and Jose Valverde pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning to earn his 1st save of the postseason and it secured a Tigers win.

Game 2 of the ALDS is tommorrow and Doug Fister takes the mound for Detroit as he takes on Tommy Milone of the Athletics.

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Miguel Cabrera Clinches the AL Triple Crown!

It's official, Miguel Cabrera has clinched the 2012 American League Triple Crown! The last time this happened was in 1967 by Carl Yastrzemski

Cabrera finishes the season with a .330 Batting Average, 44 Home Runs, and 139 RBI, and maybe his first MVP award?

Congrats to Miguel Cabrera, the best hitter in the game!

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Justin Verlander Named AL Pitcher of the Month

According to Brian Britten, Justin Verlander has been named the American League pitcher of the month for September.

Verlander in 6 starts went 5-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 42 innings pitched.

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Miguel Cabrera's 44th Home Run Helps Clinch the AL Central in a 6-3 Tigers Win

The 2012 American League Central Champion Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals tonight 6-3.

Miguel Cabrera hit a single in the 4th inning, it was his 200th hit of the season, the first time he's done that in his career.

It was a 0-0 game headed to the 5th inning, then Jhonny Peralta put the Tigers on the board with a solo home run; it's his 13th of the season and the Tigers took a 1-0 lead.

Miguel Cabrera added to the Tigers lead in the 6th inning with a solo home run; it's his 44th of the season. Prince Fielder came up next and hit a double and scored on an error after the center fielder dropped a fly ball, Jhonny Peralta advanced to 2nd base on the error. Andy Dirks then hit a single, he advanced to 2nd base on the hit, Avisail Garcia was next and was walked intentionally, then Gerald Laird came up with the bases loaded and hit a 3 run double and the Tigers had a 6-0 lead.

Rick Porcello pitched 5 innings tonight, giving up 1 run on 4 hits, walking 3 and striking out 3 batters; he won his 10th game of the season.

Al Alburquerque came in for relief and gave up 1 run in the 6th inning.

Octavio Dotel came in and pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Joaquin Benoit gave up 1 run in the 8th inning.

Jose Valverde came in and pitched a scoreless 9th inning to earn his 35th save of the season, and the Tigers clinched the Central Division for the 2nd season in a row.

The Tigers continue their series with the Royals tommorrow as Doug Fister (10-9 3.38 ERA) takes on Jeremy Guthrie (7-12 4.82 ERA).

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Justin Verlander Named AL Player of the Week

Brian Britten reported that for the week of September 24th to September 30th, Justin Verlander was named co-player of the week for the American League.

Verlander made 2 starts in that span and went 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He pitched 15 innings and had 16 strikeouts while only walking 2 batters.

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