#2 Motown need 5 games to get past #7 Oak to get to final 4

Game 1: Oakland 5, Detroit 4

The Tigers wasted a 12-strikeout performance by starter Justin Verlander when Jose Valverde blew the lead in the ninth. The Tigers knocked A’s starter Tommy Milone out in the 5th, but the A’s bullpen slammed the door the rest of the way. Andy Dirks continued his torrid tournament pace, with 3 hits and 3 RBI’s. Kurt Suzuki singled home the winning run in the 10th off Duane Below and the Tigers were unable to counter off closer Grant Balfour.

Game 2: Detroit 4, Oakland 3

Max Scherzer started for the home team and fanned 9 before giving way to Octavio Dotel who would eventually get credit for the win. A Prince Fielder 2-run homer in the 7th put the Tigers in the lead for good. Joaquin Benoit tossed 1 2/3 perfect innings to get the save. 5 Tigers had multi-hit games in the win. Seth Smith homered for Oakland, while Jim Miller took the loss.

Game 3: Oakland 4, Detroit 1

A Yoenis Cespedes 3-run homer in the 8th off Benoit gave the victory to the Athletics. Cespedes also homered in the 2nd and finished the game with 3 hits and all 4 Oakland RBI’s. Doug Fister took the loss for Detroit, while Daniel Straily netted the win. Andy Dirks recorded his third straight multiple hit game.

Game 4: Detroit 6, Oakland 4

Miguel Cabrera pounded 4 hits and Prince Fielder 3 to pace the Tigers attack. A Cabrera solo shot and an Alex Avila RBI single in the 5th put Detroit in the lead for good. Anibal Sanchez picked up the win, with Jarrod Parker getting the loss. Jose Valverde slammed the door to earn the save. Seth Smith had a homer and 3 RBI’s in the losing cause.

Game 5: Detroit 8, Oakland 4

Justin Verlander spotted the A’s 4 runs in the first 2 innings, but held tight after to give his offense a chance to recover. The Tigers picked up 2 in the 3rd, then a singular run in the 4th, before a Jhonny Peralta 3-run bomb in the 5th capped a 4-run inning. Verlander lasted 6 1/3, fanning 12, before the trio of Phil Coke, Benoit and Valverde finished the game. Dirks recorded his 4th multi-hit game of the series, going 3 for 4 and raising his tournament average to .545. Tommy Milone for Oakland got nailed for 7 earned runs in the loss. Brandon Moss hit a 3-run homer in the 1st to put the A’s out front early. 
--submitted by Matt Dickendesher--