DETROIT TIGERS - 2011 AL CENTRAL CHAMPIONS!!!

Step 1 has officially been completed. Doug Fister dominated much of the game as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Oakland Athletics, 3-1, to become the new American League Central division champions!

It's the Tigers' first division title since 1987 and are the first American League team to officially make the postseason. Detroit is now two games up on the Rangers for the second seed in the AL playoffs.

Fister (9-13) retired 17 straight during one stretch to win his third straight start and fifth consecutive decision, and Wilson Betemit hit a go-ahead triple off Trevor Cahill (11-14) in the 6th inning. Don Kelly hit a solo home run in the 7th inning.



The Tigers (88-63) had not finished on top since winning the AL East in 1987, three years after their last World Series championship.

Tiger legend Frank Tanana gives his thoughts on Detroit winning their division title 24 years ago



Tigers closer Jose Valverde gave up a leadoff bloop double to Coco Crisp, which was just out of the reach of Austin Jackson in centerfield. Valverde then struck out Jemile Weeks, got Hideki Matsui to pop out to third and got Josh Willingham to ground out to third, which allowed Valverde to earn his 45th consecutive save this season.

Late season trades were a key factor in getting Detroit a division championship, which included Delmon Young in a three-player deal with the Twins on Aug. 15, veteran infielder Wilson Betemit from Kansas City for a pair of prospects in July and Jhonny Peralta at the trade deadline last year from Cleveland.

Then there’s the reliable Fister, who improved to 6-1 since he joined the Tigers in a six-player trade with Seattle on July 30. He is 5-0 over his last six starts and has given Leyland another front-line starter behind AL Cy Young Award contender Justin Verlander.