ALCS GM 3 - GDT: 10/11/11 - DET (0-2) VS TEX (2-0) - 8:05 p.m.

Detroit can have its say as ALCS heads north

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 10/10/2011 11:30 PM ET

The Rangers are well aware that Detroit shouldn't rank highly on their list of favorite road cities. In fact, they own the worst record at Comerica Park of any American League team since the building's gates opened in 2000.

Yet Texas will bring a commanding 2-0 AL Championship Series lead to the Motor City, daring the Tigers to claw back. The Rangers could move one win away from a second World Series berth in as many seasons with Tuesday's Game 3 at 8:05 p.m. ET on FOX.

"Going back there and playing three games, old history says that we don't do well there," the Rangers' Josh Hamilton said. "Hopefully, we're going to have a different feel about things going in leading, 2-0, and we can just go in there and play our game."

Hamilton's grasp on the record books is firm. Texas is an AL-worst 23-34 (.404) within Detroit's city limits since the Tigers abandoned old Tiger Stadium to move into their new digs on Woodward Avenue.

Rangers manager Ron Washington is planning to shake up his lineup a little for Game 3. Michael Young snapped an 0-for-16 skid with an 11th-inning single in Game 2 and is set to bring his glove out to first base.

Washington also said that he would like to start Yorvit Torrealba behind the plate to flash the signals for starter Colby Lewis.

"I'd like to get Torrealba behind the plate, and I feel that if I can get Mike in the field, maybe he can get locked in," Washington said. "All he's been doing so far in the playoffs is DHing."

With Doug Fister set to start for them in Game 3, the Tigers face an uphill climb if they want to see Arlington again. Right now, they need at least one win to get the ball to 24-game winner Justin Verlander for a potential Game 5.

"It's been a great two games," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "It didn't go the right way, obviously. They earned it, and we didn't quite get it done. We haven't been able to come up with any big hits. That's really hard."

Mission one is breaking through against Texas' high-octane bullpen. Rangers relievers combined for 8 1/3 innings of four-hit relief in Game 2, giving them 12 2/3 scoreless frames in the series.

"They've got a great staff over there," Detroit's Ryan Raburn said. "Putting [Alexi] Ogando in the bullpen, and then [Neftali] Feliz, [Mike] Adams -- they've just got great arms over there. Somehow, we've got to find ways to get them, no matter what."

Since the advent of the best-of-five LCS in 1985, 21 teams have taken a 2-0 lead in the LCS. Eighteen have advanced to the World Series; the Tigers will be trying to lump the 2011 Rangers in with the '85 Blue Jays, the '85 Dodgers and the '04 Yankees.

But as the ALCS moves some 1,200 miles north and east, the Rangers would love to wrap up the ALCS in Detroit and make their next home game a World Series contest.

"Definitely, we'll try to finish [the series in Detroit]," Nelson Cruz said. "I know it's not going to be easy, because they have a great team, but we've got to keep playing like the way we're playing and I think we're going to be fine."

Lewis was somewhere high above America when the first pitch of Game 2 was tossed, with the Rangers wanting to get him safe and sound to Detroit just in case there was a long game on tap.

Lewis has had trouble against Detroit this year, having been knocked around for 14 runs (13 earned) on 20 hits in a combined 7 1/3 innings. But the playoffs are his time; the right-hander pitched six sharp innings in Game 3 of the AL Division Series to beat the Rays this year and was a postseason stud in 2010. He now owns a 4-0 record and 1.67 ERA in five career starts.

"Once you get your feet wet, you get more comfortable," Lewis said. "That's all there is to it. It's the comfortability aspect of things. The more you do it, the more you go out there, the more you understand what it takes to perform and be on that stage."

Fister saw one of Lewis' better outings this year up close; they locked up in a July 15 meeting at Safeco Field in Seattle, just before Fister traded in his Mariners uniform for a Tigers model.

The lanky righty pitched the Tigers to the ALCS with a victory over the Yankees in Game 5 of the ALDS on Thursday and has gone 9-2 with a 2.25 ERA for the Tigers in 13 starts since his July 30 acquisition.

Leyland said that he knew Fister was a good pitcher but said he would "be lying if I said we thought he would be this good." So far, Fister has thought the same about his Detroit experience.

"Obviously, there's a huge fan base in Detroit, which is terrific to play in front of," Fister said. "It's been very prevalent, especially in the postseason. We sit back, we watch everybody standing on their feet waving the white towels. It's something that gives you chills to be a part of."

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

After tossing five quality innings to get the clinching win in the AL Division Series Thursday, Fister will make his next postseason outing at home. He split two outings this year against Texas, his old AL West foe.


Rangers: RHP Colby Lewis (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Lewis gets the start in Game 3 in Detroit because his ERA is more than two runs per game higher at home than on the road. Lewis is 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA in five career postseason starts.


Game Information



INJURY UPDATE:

• OF Magglio Ordonez (re-fracture of his right ankle at the site that was previously surgically repaired, 15-day disabled list? on October 10).
• 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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• 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 (0-1, 6.75 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 LINEUPS:

TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF
Ramon Santiago, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Don Kelly, 3B
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Alex Avila, C
Ryan Raburn, LF
Andy Dirks, RF

P: Doug Fister

TEX - Top 1st
B:0 S:0 O:0
Ian Kinsler singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:2 O:0
Elvis Andrus singles on a ground ball to right fielder Andy Dirks. Ian Kinsler to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:0
Josh Hamilton singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Ian Kinsler scores. Elvis Andrus to 2nd.
TEX 1 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:2
Michael Young grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Elvis Andrus to 3rd. Josh Hamilton out at 2nd.

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

DET - Bot 1st
B:0 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz in foul territory.

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

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

TEX 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

TEX - Top 2nd
B:3 S:1 O:1
Mike Napoli grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Nelson Cruz pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Yorvit Torrealba singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Endy Chavez grounds into a force out, fielded by second baseman Ramon Santiago. Yorvit Torrealba out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:4 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez walks.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Endy Chavez.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to left fielder Endy Chavez. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Alex Avila out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

TEX 1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

TEX - Top 3rd
B:1 S:2 O:0
Ian Kinsler singles on a soft ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Elvis Andrus grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Ian Kinsler out at 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Josh Hamilton out swinging.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Andy Dirks out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago lines out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out softly, pitcher Colby Lewis to first baseman Michael Young.

TEX 1 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

TEX - Top 4th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Michael Young grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Injury Delay.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Adrian Beltre grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

DET - Bot 4th
B:2 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez homers (1) on a line drive to right field.
TIED 1 - 1

B:2 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly grounds out softly, pitcher Colby Lewis to first baseman Michael Young.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta pops out to first baseman Michael Young in foul territory.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila out swinging.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

TEX - Top 5th
B:1 S:1 O:1
Nelson Cruz pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Yorvit Torrealba singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

Yorvit Torrealba out at 2nd, catcher Alex Avila to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Endy Chavez flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET - Bot 5th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz in foul territory.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Andy Dirks flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to center fielder Josh Hamilton. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera doubles (2) on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Austin Jackson scores. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.
2 - 1

B:4 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez walks.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Don Kelly grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Adrian Beltre. Miguel Cabrera out at 3rd.

2 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

TEX - Top 6th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Ian Kinsler hit by pitch.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Elvis Andrus out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Ian Kinsler to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Josh Hamilton flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Michael Young grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 6th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta homers (1) on a line drive to left field.
3 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Endy Chavez.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Ryan Raburn grounds out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to first baseman Michael Young.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to left fielder Endy Chavez.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Koji Uehara replaces Colby Lewis.

With Austin Jackson batting, Andy Dirks steals (1) 2nd base.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Josh Hamilton. Andy Dirks scores.
4 - 1

B:1 S:2 O:3
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

4 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

TEX - Top 7th
Defensive switch from third base to right field for Don Kelly.

Defensive Substitution: Brandon Inge replaces right fielder Andy Dirks, batting 9th, playing third base.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Adrian Beltre flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Mike Napoli grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Nelson Cruz out on foul tip.

DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:2 O:0
Miguel Cabrera homers (1) on a fly ball to left field.
5 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Darren Oliver replaces Koji Uehara.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly pops out to first baseman Michael Young.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Jhonny Peralta pops out to first baseman Michael Young.

5 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

TEX - Top 8th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Yorvit Torrealba doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Endy Chavez grounds out to pitcher Doug Fister. Yorvit Torrealba to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Doug Fister.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Ian Kinsler grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Yorvit Torrealba scores.
5 - 2

B:3 S:3 O:3
Elvis Andrus called out on .

DET - Bot 8th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila called out on .

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Yoshinori Tateyama replaces Darren Oliver.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ryan Raburn doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Endy Chavez.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Endy Chavez.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

5 - 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

TEX - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Josh Hamilton doubles (2) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Michael Young out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Adrian Beltre grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Jose Valverde. Josh Hamilton to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Mike Napoli flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.