Tigers Rally Past Halos

Tigers Tip Angels in 8th

Andy Dirks crosses the plate and congratulates
Prince Fielder as they both score in the 8th.

The Tigers came back.  You know - the ones we remember who never give up and fight with a Detroit determination that won't buckle like a bumper on an old Datsun.  Unlikely and unassuming hero Jhonny Peralta grabbed a clutch double in the 8th that scored the game winner and turned the sellout crowd at Comerica Park on their ears even before the fireworks were sparked. 

Drew Smyly started and struck out 6, but he also gave
up 2 unearned runs and got no decision.

  Miguel Cabrera hobbled back to the dugout grasping his leg along with a strained ankle.  Fitting - as he went 0-for-4 with 1 strikeout.  If it were not for the core of strength down the Tigers lineup this game would have been another ho-hummer bummer at a time we desperately need the Tigers bats to be effective.

Andy Dirks connects on one of his 2 hits.

By the way - Beginning in 2012, five teams make the playoffs from the American League and National League. There are two wild-card teams (the two teams with the best records that did not win their divisions) and three division champions. The two wild-card teams play in a winner-take-all game scheduled for two days after the season ends. The winner of that game goes on to the Division Series to face the No. 1 seed. 

Jim Leyland congratulates Jhonny Peralta on his game winning hit.

Detroit is still 2½ games behind Chicago, whom they will face 7 more times this season.  In fact - the Tigers face the Royals 9 more times, the Angels at their home for 3 more, the Twins 6 more, the Indians 6 more and a crucial 3 game set with the Oakland Athletics.  There are 36 games left to play and the Tigers may have to win the AL Central in order to make the postseason because two teams in the East have better records and Oakland is ahead of us in the West.

Miguel Cabrera is playing through the pain.

The Tigers take on the Angels in the finale Sunday afternoon.   You can watch with us here at CUBS' AC where we are keeping the beer frosty cold. We've even got a new cooler stocked with only craft brews Made in Michigan!  Grab a few!
 
So join us at CUBS' AC (in the bar that faces the giant car wash) and we'll see if the Tigers can top the Angels.  Watch on our big screens while wolfing down a Jack Daniel's^® Burger!!

 #GoTigers  

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UMPIRES: HP: Gary Darling. 1B: Paul Emmel. 2B: Scott Barry. 3B: Jerry Meals. 
WEATHER: 75º, Clear
ATTENDANCE: 41,970 / GAME TIME: 2:58