Tigers Advance to ALCS
Published at(OAKLAND, Calif.) — Justin Verlander turned in a brilliant performance when his team needed it most.
Verlander took a no-hitter into the seventh inning as the Detroit Tigers blanked the Oakland Athletics 3-0 on Thursday night to advance to the ALCS for the third-straight year. He allowed just two hits while striking out 10 in eight innings of work.
“I’m pitching the way I’m supposed to. I worked my butt off all year to try to get consistent and get myself where I needed to be,” Verlander said. “I feel like it finally paid off at the end of the year.”
Miguel Cabrera added a two-run home run for the Tigers, who overcame a 2-1 series deficit to advance.
The Athletics saw their season end at the hands of Detroit for the third time in as many postseasons. They are just 1-12 in potential series-clinching games since 2000.
“Everything about it is frustrating. We’re a better team than that,” catcher Stephen Vogt said. “We deserved better. We just didn’t get it done.”
The Tigers will face the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS with Game 1 set for Saturday in Fenway Park.
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