A's Score 3 in 9th, Tie Series 2-2
By Stefanie Pohl
CREATED Oct. 11, 2012
After a strong start in the ALDS, it all comes down to a decisive Game 5.
The Tigers went into the bottom of the 9th inning up two runs on Oakland, 3-1, when closer Jose Valverde took the mound. That's when the A's Seth Smith hit a double to tie the game, and Coco Crisp hit a single to win the game, 4-3.
"This is the toughest moment in my whole career," Valverde said. "I had everything. These guys hit it. There's nothing I can do."
A stunned Tigers team will prepare for Game 5 tonight at 9:30PM, relying on ace Justin Verlander to pitch when the team intended to save him for Game 1 of the ALCS.
Detroit had struck first in Game 4, scoring on an Austin Jackson single in the 3rd inning and padding the lead with a solo home run by Prince Fielder in the 4th.
Oakland answered in the 6th with a run, and Detroit made it 3-1 in the 8th with a single by Garcia. But the bottom of the 9th was the trouble spot for the Tigers, with the A's scoring three runs on four hits.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.