Tigers hang on for 3-2 win over NY to advance to ALCS

History is once again made at Yankee Stadium, but not the way New York had intended. The Detroit Tigers held on late in the game to eliminate the Yankees, 3-2. The victory sent the Tigers to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2006, the year they also eliminated the Yankees in the first round. The ALCS will begin play this Saturday night when Detroit takes on the Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

The Tigers won twice at Yankee Stadium in this best-of-five series. In both games, they led all the way after getting two runs in the first on the long ball. This night, Don Kelly and Delmon Young hit back-to-back homers for two runs off rookie Ivan Nova before the Yankees came to bat.



Jose Valverde dispatched the heart of the Yankees order 1-2-3 in the 9th inning. He got former Tiger Curtis Granderson on a fly to left, Robinson Cano on a fly to center, and then struck out Alex Rodriguez to end it.



Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister did his part to perserve the win, especially after he escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the 4th inning. Detroit's bullpin made the save as Max Scherzer, Joaquin Benoit, and Valverde combined for four innings, allowing only one run and five hits.



Yankees starting pitcher Ivan Nova lasted just 31 pitches and six outs before being pulled in the 2nd inning, due to tightness in his right forearm. With Game 3 starting pitcher CC Sabathia making his first relief appearance of his professional career after 421 starts, it was just the opportunity Tigers catcher Victor Martinez needed to drive in an RBI single that made it 3-0 in the 5th inning.

Now that the focus is on the ALCS, the Tigers will start Justin Verlander for Game 1 against the Rangers’ C.J. Wilson.