I really hate the rule that says that playoff games must be finished once they start. The Tigers could have used two more at-bats to potentially get back into tonight's game at Yankee Stadium. Instead, this game began in the bottom of the 2nd inning after last night's game was rained out. Doug Fister picked up where Justin Verlander left off last night, and kept the game close until the 6th inning. Remember that this game started out in the 2nd inning tied at 1-1. A couple of bloops and bleeders and a pair of walks led to a pair of Yankee runs and loaded the bases. Jim Leyland went to the bullpen and brought in Al Alburquerque. Tiger radio announcer Jim Price (I blame you, Jim!) couldn't help but point out the fact that Alburquerque hadn't given up a home run this season.
As soon as the words came out over the airwaves, I shouted "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" But it was too late. Robinson Cano blasted the first pitch he saw deep into the right field seats for a grand slam to put the Evil Empire ahead 8-1. The Tigers couldn't seem to solve Yankee rookie pitcher Ivan Nova until the 9th inning (which would have been the 7th inning if rainouts in the playoffs were treated like regular season rainouts). The Tigers scored two times and had the bases loaded with two outs when the Yankees brought in closer Mariano Rivera with a 9-3 lead. He struck out Ryan Raburn on three pitches to finish off the Tigers, who now trail in the best of five series 1-0.

Tomorrow afternoon is game two at 3 pm. Max Scherzer will face Freddy Garcia as the Tigers try to even the series in the Bronx. Let's hope the Tiger hitters show up a little sooner in this one.

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