This one was a nail-biter. The Tigers and Yankees in a winner-take-all deciding Game 5 of the American League Divisional Series. The Tigers got the lead early when Don Kelly and Delmon Young hit back-to-back solo homers in the first innning off Yankee rookie Ivan Nova. Doug Fister was under duress in most of the five innings he pitched for the Tigers, but left with Detroit leading 2-0.
Tiger manager Jim Leyland used starter Max Scherzer for an inning and two thirds, and he kept the Yankees off the scoreboard. Meanwhile the Tigers got a broken-bat double from Austin Jackson in the 5th, and Victor Martinez singled him home with the third Tiger run. That would prove to be the game-winner. Joaquin Benoit inherited a baserunner from Scherzer and put a couple more on before walking home a run in the 7th to make it 3-2. Benoit pitched a scoreless 8th inning before Jose Valverde came on in the 9th. Valverde got the save by striking out Alex Rodriguez to end the game and the Tigers were moving on to the American League Championship Series to face the Texas Rangers this Saturday. The Tigers and Rangers will play Saturday and Sunday in Arlington, Texas, then come back to Detroit for games 3, 4 and 5 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Games 6 and 7 would move back to Texas if needed.

Final score tonight and for the ALDS: Tigers 3, Yankees 2. Time to celebrate then get ready for the Rangers!

More From Cars 108