Tigers Fans Lament Lost Opportunities In ALCS
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit Tigers had it set up perfectly: Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder coming to the plate with a chance to tie the game, or even take the lead.
And then, nothing.
Cabrera and Fielder both struck out swinging with runners at the corners to end the eighth inning as the Boston Red Sox held on to beat the Tigers 1-0 in Game Three, for a 2-1 lead in the AL championship series.
After John Lackey out-pitched Justin Verlander, the Boston bullpen took over. But most fans agree the loss wasn't Verlander's fault.
"When your starting pitched gives up one run, you should still win the baseball game. So, I'm not going to put this on Verlander, I mean, we didn't hit," said Dan Giamatta, who drove all the way from Petosky to take part in the action.
The Tigers couldn't come up with a big hit of their own, much to the distress of Michael Strand of Grosse Pointe Park.
"Seems like they are squandering some really good pitching," said Strand. "All you can hope is that next game the bats heat up."
Dwayne Martin of Detroit called the loss "heartbreaking."
"It was tough to watch. I've got to call him out, we've got to get Cabrera going again," he said.
Allison Baker of Grosse Pointe Park agreed, saying the whole thing is frustrating.
"We've just got to get those bats going. They've got to start swinging and they've got to start hitting," she said.
While most fans wish the Tigers' bats would heat up, some fans, like Ray Buckholter of Canton, are still stuck on the Game 2 loss, thanks to a grand-slam by David Ortiz.
"I think it changed the whole complexion of the series," he said. "I was concerned and I hoped they would come back today."
Doug Fister takes the mound Wednesday night in Game 4 at Comerica Park. First pitch is at 8:07 p.m. Catch all the action on 97.1 The Ticket.
