Tigers hang on to beat A's, 3-2; Sox win; PIT & LAD even series

The Tigers jumped on Oakland's starter Bartolo Colon for three runs in the 1st inning and that was all the run support Max Scherzer & the bullpen needed as Detroit held on to beat the Athletics, 3-2, to take Game 1 of the American League Division Series at the O.co Coliseum.

Max Scherzer allowed three hits, two walks, and two earned runs over seven innings with 11 strikeouts for the Tigers.  Torii Hunter scored when Prince Fielder grounded into a double play to short and Victor Martinez hit a double and came home to score on an RBI single by Alex Avila.  It was the most runs the Tigers have ever scored in the 1st inning of a postseason game.

Justin Verlander takes center stage for Detroit this Saturday night as the Tigers play Game 2 of the ALDS against Oakland at 9 pm.




Pirates' rookie pitcher Gerrit Cole gave up two hits in six dominant innings & also had an RBI in his postseason debut and Pedro Alvarez homered for the second straight day as Pittsburgh took down the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-1, to even their NL Division Series at one game apiece.  The Pirates now head home for Game 3 this Sunday afternoon in the best-of-five series when Wild-Card game winner Francisco Liriano faces St. Louis' right-hander Joe Kelly at 4:30 pm.




The Boston Red Sox had scored five runs in the 4th inning after taking advantage of Tampa Bay's miscues and bad defense to overcome an early deficit as they pounded the Tampa Bay Rays, 12-2, in Game 1 of the AL Division Series.  Boston's John Lackey will face Tampa Bay's David Price this Saturday evening in Game 2 of the ALDS at 5:30 pm.




Mike Minor pitched six strong innings in his first postseason start and Jason Heyward hit a two-run single as the Atlanta Braves held off the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-3, to even the best-of-five NL Division Series at one game apiece.  After having Saturday off, the series will resume with two games at Dodger Stadium in L.A., starting this Sunday night at 8 pm.