Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Delmon Young drove in three runs on three hits,
including an RBI double that ignited a two-run 12th inning that lifted the
Detroit Tigers to a 6-4 win over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the
American League Championship Series.
Young had a solo homer earlier on and Jhonny Peralta also collected three hits
as the Tigers overcame a ninth-inning implosion from closer Jose Valverde to
take a 1-0 lead in this best-of-seven set to determine the AL's World Series
representative.
Valverde served up two-run homers to Ichiro Suzuki and Raul Ibanez in New
York's last at-bat that forged a 4-4 tie, but the Yankees mustered little
against Octavio Dotel and Drew Smyly the rest of the way. Smyly (1-0) notched
the victory with two scoreless innings of one-hit ball.
David Phelps (0-2) was hung with the loss for New York after surrendering two
runs on three hits in the 12th.
Suzuki finished 4-for-6 and Ibanez slugged his third homer of the postseason
as part of a 2-for-5 night. They were the exceptions, however, to a Yankee
lineup that stranded 13 runners and failed to score in three bases-loaded
situations against Tigers starter Doug Fister.
New York suffered another potentially damaging blow in the 12th, when
shortstop Derek Jeter had to be helped off the field after fracturing his left
ankle while making a diving stop.
Game 2 will take place on Sunday, with Hiroki Kuroda getting the call for the
Yankees and Detroit sending out Anibal Sanchez.
GAME NOTES:
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