Tigers Regain Mojo, Top Yankees in 12-Innings
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Alex Trautwig/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The Detroit Tigers proved they were resilient. After blowing a 4-0 lead in the ninth-inning, the Tigers bounced back and scored two in the 12th, as they beat the New York Yankees 6-4, in Game 1 of the ALCS.
The Tigers allowed two two-run home runs in the ninth, the first to Ichiro and the game tying to Raul Ibanez.
“We’ve been taking punches all year,” Tigers skipper Jim Leyland said. “I said if we’re going to be good enough we got to be able to take a punch, and we took a big punch. I mean we took a right cross in that ninth-inning. But we survived it.”
Delmon Young, who already hit a home run, knocked in what proved to be the game winner in the 12th when he smacked a double off Yankees pitcher David Phelps.
As for the Yankees, they lost more than the game. Captain Derek Jeter broke his left ankle while attempting to field a ground ball in the 12th-inning and will miss the rest of the playoffs. Jason Nix will take his place at shortstop.
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