Verlander Goes the Distance, Tigers Eliminate Athletics
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Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images(OAKLAND) — Justin Verlander came up aces versus the Oakland Athletics Thursday night. Last season’s AL MVP pitched a complete game shutout, leading the Tigers to a 6-0 victory over the Athletics, to win Game 5 of their ALDS series.
Verlander pitched nine-innings, allowing four hits, walking one and striking out 11 in the victory.
“He had that look in his eye today. He was determined,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said of Verlander. “I mean he had a complete game look in his eye and we were thankful to get that.”
The Tigers win means the A’s magical season is complete. The Athletics, who had the second lowest payroll in baseball, surprised many by winning the AL West and almost eliminating the Tigers.
“We didn’t think it was going to end today,” Athletics skipper Bob Melvin said. “We knew we were going up against a good pitcher, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t think we weren’t going to win. We’ve gone up against plenty of good pitchers this year. It’s a bit of a shock when it finally does end.”
“It was a heck of a story, a heck of a run for us, but it doesn’t feel any better at the end of the day when you go home. It’s a pretty empty feeling,” he continued.
The Tigers advance to their second straight American League Championship series. They await the winner of the Yankees/Orioles matchup.
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