Valverde's Wikipedia Page Vandalized
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - In the wake of Saturday night's ninth-inning meltdown by Detroit Tigers reliever Jose Valverde, his Wikipedia page was hit by cyber-vandals.
Dozens of people, presumably disgruntled Tigers fans, altered the web site, adding vulgarities and other insults about the 34-year-old. As a result, the page has been semi-protected, meaning only registered Wikipedia users can make edits to it.
Valverde gave up four runs before Detroit edged New York 6-4 in 12 innings.
Leyland took Valverde out of consideration for the closer role on Sunday.
"Jose Valverde will be an important part of this club in this playoff or we are going to have a real tough time," Leyland said. "I just hope that the people back home are, like I said, not too short-minded because this guy has been fantastic, and is an important piece in the scenario, in my opinion."
Former Yankees reliever Phil Coke pitched two innings for the save.
Game 3 in the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night in Detroit, with Verlander, the reigning AL MVP, starting for the Tigers against Phil Hughes. Verlander went 2-0 in the division series versus Oakland, including a four-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts in the decisive Game 5.
