ALDS Game 2: Oakland Athletics Walk-Off In Ninth With 1-0 Win

October 5, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt (21) hits the game-winning single to score left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52, not pictured) during the ninth inning in game two of the American League divisional series playoff baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Tigers 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Athletics were desperate for a win in ALDS Game 2 and thanks to Stephen Vogt they got one.  The A’s catcher lined a single into left field in the bottom of the ninth to score Yoenis Cespedes and end the game in walk-off fashion.

It had been a pitchers duel until that point.  Justin Verlander was brilliant through 7 scoreless innings striking out 11 and scattering 4 hits.  Trouble was that Oakland starter Sonny Gray was just a little better.  Gray bested Verlander by going 8 scoreless innings and striking out 9.

It all came down to the ninth when Jim Leyland left Al Alburquerque in the game to face the heart of the Athletics order.  Two singles and an intentional walk later the bases were loaded with nobody out.  Jim Leyland came to the mound to pull Alburquerque and call in Rick Porcello to face Stephen Vogt.

Stephen Vogt the journeyman catcher who toiled in the minors only to find himself in the ALDS this year found himeslef on the biggest stage and in the brighest of lights. And in made for TV movie style Vogt lines Porcello single into left field giving the A’s a 1-0 win.

Questionable Decisions

Jim Leyland made some unusual choices in the late inning of this game regarding his bullpen.  Especially the use of Al Alburquerque.  Alburquerque came into the game in the eighth inning and struck out the two Athletics to end a scoring threat.  Leyland then left him in to face the heart of the order in the ninth inning instead of going to any number of other arms in the bullpen.  Namely Jose Veras.  Jose Veras was acquired at the trade deadline for situations just like this.  But for the second game in a row Leyland left him on the bench in the late innings.

The trip to Oakland wasn’t all bad.  The Tigers did earn a split and will have the opportunity to finish the series by winning both games at home.

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