ALCS Game 5: Red Sox a win away from pennant

Game 5 Recap: BOS 4, DET 3

The Red Sox are one game away from the American League Championship. By defeating the Detroit Tigers, 4-3, the Red Sox need one win to take the series and move on to the World Series. They scored all four of their runs within the first three innings, coming on a Mike Napoli 460 foot homer (went 3-for-4) and other rallies. Xander Bogaerts, who John Farrell wanted to "throw into the fire", doubled and scored, as the Red Sox rocked Sanchez early. Sanchez (1-2) has a 4.41 ERA in the potseason now; while Lester (2-1) has a 2.33 ERA. They play again on Saturday in Boston.

BOS 4 | 10 | 0

DET 3 | 10 | 1

Game 4 Recap: DET 7, BOS 3

The Detroit Tigers took a very important game Wednesday, as they tied up the series behind a lot of offense. Jake Peavy started for Boston; his postseason ERA is now a horrid 10.31 mark; and was not sharp. He allowed all seven runs in only three innings, giving the Boston bullpen plenty of sports. Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera, and Austin Jackson all drove in two runs for Detroit, who had a very good pitching performace from Doug Fister, who pitched six innings of one run ball, while working around eight hits. This win was a good win for Detroit as a team, as they tie the series at 2 going into game five tonight.

DET 7 | 9 | 0

BOS 3 | 12 | 0

Game 3 Recap: BOS 1, DET 0

Justin Verlander and John Lackey were both downright dominant, with Verlander pitching eight innings of one run ball, and Lackey pitching six and two thirds. In a game where the Tigers and Red Sox combined for twenty-three strikeouts, this game came down really to one play, where Mike Napoli crushed a solo shot in the seventh to left center field, providing the offense for both teams. The Boston bullpen held off the Tigers for the final two and a third innings, closing out the victory that puts them up 2-1 in the series. They play again today in Detroit (Peavy vs. Fister).

BOS 1 | 4 | 0

DET 0 | 6 | 1

Game 2 Recap: BOS 6, DET 5

We knew the Red Sox weren't going down this easy. We just did not know how they would pull this amazing game out. A night after nearly being no-hit, the Sox had their share of troubles against Detroit's Max Scherzer, as HE carried a no-hitter five and two-thirds of the way there. When Shane Victorino singled, and Dustin Pedrioa doubled, the Red Sox were on the board, but down 5-1. But, it wasn't until the eighth that the Sox really got going. A double, walk, and single loaded the bases for David Ortiz, the Red Sox powerful DH. The first pitch was a change-up, out over the plate, and Ortiz crushed it, a line-drive over the right field wall. And, Fenway went crazy. But, the Sox were not done there. In the bottom of the ninth, Jonny Gomes singled, went to second on an error, to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Jarrod Saltalamacchia's walk-off single. The Red Sox absolutely swung the momentum in their favor, as they tie the series at 1, heading into Detroit on Tuesday.

BOS 6 | 7 | 1

DET 5 | 8 | 1 




Game 1 Recap: DET 1, BOS 0 


The Tigers were three outs away from bringing in the first postseason combined no-hitter ever, and only the third no-hitter in general in the playoffs. Anibal Sanchez pitched six no-hit frames, but due to his high pitch count (12 SO), he could not complete the game. The Tigers bullpen then came out and pitched two more no-hit frames. But, in the top of the ninth, the Red Sox Daniel Nava reached on a hit, and ended the Tigers hopes of a no-hitter. Jhonny Peralta drove in the Tigers only run with an RBI Single.



DET 1 | 9 | 0

BOS 0 | 1 | 1