Oct 8, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers players Jose Iglesias (1) , Austin Jackson (middle) and Torii Hunter (right) celebrate after game four of the American League divisional series playoff baseball game against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
It was a classic game. One of the best in Tigers history. A back and forth battle that ended in a 8-6 Tigers victory in ALDS Game 4, forcing a game 5 in Oakland.
Oakland jumped on top in the fifth behind a Jed Lowrie two-run homer giving them a three run lead.
It took redemption for a couple of slumping Tigers to get the offense going.
In the bottom of the fifth Prince Fielder got a bloop single that got a rally started. Victor Martinez followed with a single bring Jhonny Peralta to the plate with two men on. Then with one swing of the bat Jhonny Peralta’s three run game tying homer erased all the PED controversy and got the Tigers back in the game.
With the game tied Jim Leyland went to the pen to call Cy Young into the game. Max Scherzer looked shaky and was touched up for two singles gaving up the lead on a single by Coco Crisp. Crisp has worn the Tigers out this series and chipped in 4 hits for the A’s tonight.
The Tigers answered in the bottom of the seventh when Victor Martinez hit a game tying home run. But the play needed to be reviewed because of possible fan interference. Video courtesy MLB.com
After review the umpire ruled it a home run. It was the break the Tigers needed. After a Jhonny Peralta double and a Jose Iglesias walk, Austin Jackson singled to give the Tigers the lead. The ribbie was sweet redemption for Jackson who had struck out a mind numbing 9 times in the series.
Scherzer returned for the eighth and after loading the bases with noone out, struck out two A’s and forced a ground ball to get out of the inning.
The Tigers offense wasn’t done and added 3 more runs in the bottom of the eighth giving the home team a 4 run lead.
Turns out they would need those runs as the stubborn A’s scored two runs off of Joaquin Benoit in the top of the ninth before he was able earn the save and a Tigers victory 8-6.
The win forces a Game 5 in Oakland on Thursday. Justin Verlander will get the start against Bartolo Colon.