ALCS GM 2 - GDT: 10/10/11 - DET (0-1) AT TEX (1-0) - 4:19 p.m.

High-ceiling arms square off in Game 2

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 10/9/2011 3:40 AM ET

ARLINGTON -- If the Tigers and Rangers take anything from the nine innings of American League Championship Series play already in the books, it's that the next few days of October competition could shape up as tight, memorable contests.

With Texas sending out lefty Derek Holland to start Sunday's Game 2 opposite Detroit righty Max Scherzer -- two guys who gladly took extra work to help their teams get here -- there's little reason to think differently.

Justin Verlander and C.J. Wilson made for a strong Game 1 pitching matchup, but it turned out to be a battle of the bullpens after a pair of fifth-inning rain delays, ending with Neftali Feliz's save in the early-morning hours as Texas finished off a 3-2 victory.

"Really, it was a great ballgame," said Ryan Raburn, who fanned for the final out. "We just came out on the short end of it."

Holland will get back to starting after performing a little bonus duty out of the bullpen in Game 4 of the Rangers' AL Division Series against the Rays, hurling 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in the decisive Game 4.

Holland had beaten Tampa Bay in Game 2 of the ALDS, allowing three runs (one earned) over five innings to log his second career postseason victory, and this time around, the circuit has been much smoother for Holland.

"Last year, I didn't really know what to expect, how to handle anything," Holland said. "I have a better idea, especially after being around [former teammate] Cliff [Lee]. C.J. [Wilson] has been helping me big-time this year in how to handle myself as a starter."

Holland was 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA in 32 starts this year but did not face Detroit.

"The Tigers are a good ballclub," Holland said. "They beat the Yankees and everything. You still have to go out there and have your 'A' game, I think."

Scherzer, meanwhile, is heading back to the mound for the first time since throwing 32 pitches in Thursday's ALDS clincher against the Yankees.

"When the postseason came around, this was the best I felt all year with my stuff," Scherzer said. "To be able to go out there and help the team out in a must-win game, this is as good as it gets."

Maybe there's more on tap: Scherzer would be set to see action in Game 6, should the series gets that far.

Scherzer was 15-9 with a 4.43 ERA in 33 regular-season starts, and Detroit beat Texas all three times he pitched, though Scherzer actually logged only one win against the Rangers, which came on June 6 in Arlington.

"I go out there and approach it the same every single time," Scherzer said. "That's for me to execute pitches."

Not getting a Game 1 victory out of Verlander, arguably the Major Leagues' best pitcher this year, stings a little. But the Tigers like their other arms plenty, and Rangers manager Ron Washington can see why.

"Scherzer, what an arm," Washington said. "It's unorthodox. He doesn't throw anything straight, and for some reason when he faces us, he finds the strike zone with more consistency with all of his pitches."

Teams holding a 1-0 lead in the ALCS own a slight advantage; over 41 previous matchups, the team jumping ahead in the series has gone on to win it 24 times, or in 59 percent of the series played.

"You know, it's not easy to get back to this point," Washington said. "When Spring Training started, we were the defending American League champions. Now, we get that opportunity again."

The Tigers aren't frightened by that, and they'd gladly take their chances with 41 percent odds.

What Detroit needs to rectify is leaving runners in scoring position; after feasting in those chances during the regular season, the Tigers were 1-for-7 in those spots in Game 1, leaving nine men on base.

"This is just one game," Victor Martinez said. "We'll do what we've been doing the whole year -- come back tomorrow, and it's a brand new ballgame."

Tigers: RHP Max Scherzer (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Scherzer was slated to start Game 4 until the Tigers moved him up, having been cleared to start on two days' rest after 32 pitches in relief on Thursday at Yankee Stadium. He has two wins and three no-decisions against Texas.


Rangers: LHP Derek Holland (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Holland got stronger as the year progressed, eradicating the ugly outings of earlier this year and becoming more consistent. He earned a win in Game 2 of the ALDS and is 6-0 in his last seven starts.


Game Information

TIGERS AT A GLANCE: Detroit took the best-of-five game American League Division Series 3-2 over the New York Yankees to advance to the American League Championship Series. The Tigers finished the regular season with a 95-67 record to capture the American League Central Division championship. It marks the 13th time in club history the Tigers have secured a spot in the playoffs, the first time since the club won the American League Wild Card and advanced to the World Series in 2006. Detroit’s 95 wins tied for the eighthhighest total during a single season in club history with the 1950 Tigers and 2006 Tigers.

LOOKING BACK AT LAST NIGHT’S GAME: The Tigers suffered a 3-2 loss to the Rangers last night in Game One of the American League Championship Series, and the club now trails Texas 0-1 in the best-of-seven game series. Justin Verlander (0-1) took the loss for Detroit after allowing three runs in four innings of work. Ramon Santiago led the Tigers with three hits, while Austin Jackson finished with a double and an RBI.

SANTIAGO POSTS THREE HITS DURING ALCS GAME: Ramon Santiago finished with three hits last night in Game One of the American League Championship Series. The three hits match the Tigers record for an American League Championship Series game. Santiago is the fifth player in club history to collect three hits during an American League Championship Series game, joining Alan Trammell, Kirk Gibson, Brandon Inge and Placido Polanco. Polanco is the only Tigers player to accomplish the feat twice.

INGE, ORDONEZ MOVING UP GAMES PLAYED LIST: Both Brandon Inge and Magglio Ordonez played in their 18th game during the post-season last night at Texas, tying both players for the third-most post-season games played in Tigers history. Hank Greenberg played in 23 games during the post-season with the Tigers, while Charlie Gehringer saw action in 20 games during the post-season for the club.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPIONS: The Tigers clinched the American League Central Division title with a 3-1 win on September 16 at Oakland and the club has advanced to the playoffs for the 13th time in franchise history. It marks Detroit’s first division title since the club captured the American League’s East Division in 1987 and it is the club’s fourth division title since divisional play began during the 1969 season.

FAMILIAR TERRITORY FOR THE SKIPPER: Tigers Manager Jim Leyland has guided a club to the post-season for the sixth time in his 20 seasons as a major league manager, including the second time during his six-year tenure with the Tigers. He has compiled a 30-25 record (.545) during post-season action. Leyland led the Pittsburgh Pirates to three straight National League East Division titles (1990-92), and he captured the National League Wild Card with the Florida Marlins in 1997. His 1997 Marlins defeated the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series. Leyland’s 2006 Tigers club won the American League Wild Card, advancing to the World Series after defeating the Yankees in the Division Series and Athletics in the American League Championship Series.

A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING: Thirteen of the 25 players on the Tigers roster are seeing their first action in the playoffs at the major league level. Brandon Inge, Magglio Ordonez, Ramon Santiago and Justin Verlander are the four holdovers from the 2006 Tigers club that captured the American League Championship. Joaquin Benoit, Wilson Betemit, Miguel Cabrera, Phil Coke, Victor Martinez, Brad Penny, Jhonny Peralta and Jose Valverde all saw action during the playoffs prior to joining the Tigers.

VERLANDER EARNS PITCHING’S TRIPLE CROWN: Justin Verlander topped all American League pitchers with 24 wins, a 2.40 ERA and 250 strikeouts during the 2011 season to become just the second Tigers pitcher to ever lead all three categories in a single season. Hal Newhouser accomplished the feat for the Tigers in 1945. Verlander is the first pitcher to lead the league in all three categories since Minnesota’s Johan Santana did so in 2006.

CABRERA WINS HIS FIRST CAREER BATTING CROWN: Miguel Cabrera led the American League with a .344 batting average during the 2011 season. He became the 10th Tigers player to lead the American League in hitting, the first since Magglio Ordonez did so with a .363 batting average during the 2007 season. Cabrera has led the league in all three of the Triple Crown categories at various points duirng his four seasons with the Tigers, topping the league with his .344 batting average in 2011, 37 home runs in 2008 and 126 RBI during the 2010 season.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde established a Tigers single-season record with 49 saves during the 2011 season, converting all of his save opportunities. He is only the third pitcher in major league history to be perfect in all of his save opportunties during a single season while posting 40-or-more saves. Eric Gagne converted all 55 of his save chances for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2003 season, while Brad Lidge converted all 41 of his save opportunities for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008.

INJURY UPDATE:

• OF Brennan Boesch (right thumb surgery, 15-day disabled list on September 9).
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



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• Monday, October 10: ALCS PLAYOFFS
Oct 9th game postponed until the 10th due to rain

• Tuesday, October 11: ALCS PLAYOFFS
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (0-0, -.-- ERA)) VS
Rangers (RHP Colby Lewis (0-0, -.-- ERA)),
8:05 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Wednesday, October 12: ALCS PLAYOFFS
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (0-0, -.-- ERA)) VS
Rangers (LHP Matt Harrison (0-0, -.-- ERA)),
4:19 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Thursday, October 13: ALCS PLAYOFFS*
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (0-0, -.-- ERA)) VS
Rangers (LHP C.J. Wilson (0-0, -.-- ERA)),
4:19 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Friday, October 14: ALCS PLAYOFFS
OFFDAY

• Saturday, October 15: ALCS PLAYOFFS*
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (0-0, -.-- ERA)) AT
Rangers (LHP Derek Holland (0-0, -.-- ERA)),
8:05 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, October 16: ALCS PLAYOFFS*
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (0-0, -.-- ERA)) AT
Rangers (RHP Colby Lewis (0-0, -.-- ERA)),
8:05 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUP:

TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF
Ramon Santiago, 2B
Delmon Young, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Ryan Raburn, RF
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Alex Avila, C
Brandon Inge, 3B

P: Max Scherzer


RANGERS

Ian Kinsler, 2B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Josh Hamilton, CF
Michael Young, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Mike Napoli, C
Nelson Cruz, RF
David Murphy, LF
Mitch Moreland, 1B

P: Mitch Moreland

DET - Top 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Delmon Young pops out to second baseman Ian Kinsler on the infield fly rule.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out softly, pitcher Derek Holland to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

TEX - Bot 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Ian Kinsler pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Elvis Andrus singles on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Josh Hamilton doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Elvis Andrus scores.
TEX 1 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:2
Michael Young flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Adrian Beltre doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn. Josh Hamilton scores.
TEX 2 - 0

B:3 S:3 O:3
Mike Napoli out swinging.

TEX 2 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Ryan Raburn walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out softly, catcher Mike Napoli to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Brandon Inge walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson walks. Ryan Raburn to 3rd. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds into a force out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

TEX - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:0
Nelson Cruz doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:1
David Murphy pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Mitch Moreland called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:3
Ian Kinsler flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

TEX 2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:3 S:2 O:1
Delmon Young lines out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera doubles (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez hit by pitch.

On-field Delay.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Ryan Raburn homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez scores.
3 - 2

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta doubles (1) on a sharp ground ball to left fielder David Murphy.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Scott Feldman replaces Derek Holland.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Brandon Inge grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

TEX - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Elvis Andrus flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Josh Hamilton flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Michael Young flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

3 - 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Adrian Beltre to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Ramon Santiago called out on .

B:3 S:1 O:3
Delmon Young lines out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

TEX - Bot 4th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Adrian Beltre grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Mike Napoli out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Nelson Cruz grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

3 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez reaches on fielding error by first baseman Mitch Moreland.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ryan Raburn pops out to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a force out, third baseman Adrian Beltre to second baseman Ian Kinsler. Victor Martinez out at 2nd.

TEX - Bot 5th
B:2 S:3 O:1
David Murphy called out on .

B:2 S:3 O:2
Mitch Moreland out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Ian Kinsler lines out sharply to third baseman Brandon Inge.

3 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Brandon Inge out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Scott Feldman to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Alex Avila to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds out to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

TEX - Bot 6th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Elvis Andrus walks.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Josh Hamilton singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Elvis Andrus to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Michael Young lines out to right fielder Ryan Raburn. Elvis Andrus to 3rd.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Adrian Beltre out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Mike Napoli grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

3 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Delmon Young grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder David Murphy.

TEX - Bot 7th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces left fielder Delmon Young, batting 3rd, playing right field.

Defensive switch from right field to left field for Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Nelson Cruz homers (2) on a fly ball to left field.
TIED 3 - 3

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Max Scherzer.

B:1 S:1 O:1
David Murphy grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Phil Coke.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Mitch Moreland out swinging.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Phil Coke.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Ian Kinsler flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Alexi Ogando replaces Scott Feldman.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Ryan Raburn grounds out, third baseman Adrian Beltre to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila called out on .

TEX - Bot 8th
B:4 S:0 O:0
Elvis Andrus walks.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Josh Hamilton lines into double play, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Elvis Andrus doubled off 1st.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Michael Young flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Andy Dirks replaces Brandon Inge.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Ramon Santiago singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder David Murphy.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Michael Gonzalez replaces Alexi Ogando.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Neftali Feliz replaces Michael Gonzalez.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Neftali Feliz intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez pops out to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 8.5 INNINGS

TEX - Bot 9th
Defensive switch from right field to third base for Don Kelly.

Andy Dirks remains in the game as the right fielder.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Adrian Beltre doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:4 S:0 O:0
Jose Valverde intentionally walks Mike Napoli.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Nelson Cruz hit by pitch. Adrian Beltre to 3rd. Mike Napoli to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
David Murphy flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Mitch
Moreland grounds into double play, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to
catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Adrian Beltre out at
home.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 9 INNINGS

DET - Top 10th
B:4 S:2 O:0
Ryan Raburn walks.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Neftali Feliz to first baseman Mitch Moreland. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila lines out to left fielder David Murphy.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Andy Dirks grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Mitch Moreland.

TEX - Bot 10th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Ian Kinsler lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Elvis Andrus grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Josh Hamilton grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 10 INNINGS

DET - Top 11th
Pitcher Change: Mike Adams replaces Neftali Feliz.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Ramon Santiago out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly singles on a ground ball to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

TEX - Bot 11th
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Jose Valverde.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Michael Young singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Adrian Beltre singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Michael Young to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Mike Napoli singles on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson, deflected by right fielder Andy Dirks. Michael Young to 3rd. Adrian Beltre to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Nelson Cruz hits a grand slam (3) to left field. Michael Young scores. Adrian Beltre scores. Mike Napoli scores.