A Big Night for Detroit Sports

 ~ Tigers Clip Twins ~ 

 Red Wings Begin Playoffs 

Miguel Cabrera congratulates Prince Fielder after he crushed the ball
for a 3-run home run that ends up being the game winner for Detroit.

The weather this Spring has not exactly been the best for sports in southern Michigan.  Those that bear the conditions at Comerica Park can attest to that.  But the "crowd weather" in Anaheim may not be any more comforting when the Red Wings open up post-season play in Anaheim Tuesday night, either.

The Red Wings finished the regular season 4-0 to make their
record 22nd straight post-season appearance.

On Monday, Detroit put together crucial hits to back another great performance by Max Scherzer on the mound.  At the outset it was looking like the game was slipping away as the Twins kept pecking and squeezing runs (2) out of nowhere until Andy Dirks hit a 2-out solo HR in the 3rd inning to close the score to 2-1.

Andy Dirks ignited the Tigers comeback.

Max Scherzer settled in after Dirks blast and was literally blanking the top of the Twins batting order, who went a combined 1-for-15 on the night.  He tallied 10 strikeouts and walked only 1 batter.

Max Scherzer improved to 3-0 this season with the win.

The story of the night was Prince Fielder, however.  We figured that Prince could not be staying so quiet for too much longer.  Minnesota was holding onto a 3-1 lead when the Tiger 1st baseman smashed a high sinker from Minnesota starter Mike Pelfrey into the deep left center field seats for a 3-run homer.  Andy Dirks was already aboard with a single and Miguel Cabrera had walked, so they came in to score and took the lead away for good from the Twins in the 6th inning.

Prince Fielder watches his homer clear the field.

Joaquin Benoit came in to relieve Drew Smyly with 2 gone in the Minnesota 9th, likely because Josh Willingham had already reached the seats earlier, but he grounded out to short and the game ended 4-3 as a happy celebration burst out of the Tiger dugout following their fourth consecutive victory - the longest so far this year.  

Tuesday is going to be a long night......
We'll see if the Tigers can continue this success Tuesday night while we wait for the puck to drop in California at 10:30pm.  The Red Wings backed into the playoffs as #7 seeds and they face the Mighty Ducks on their home ice.  You can see it all on the Big H-D Screens at CUBS' A.C. in Ann Arbor.

The Wings play in Anaheim for 2 and return to the Joe for 2 and if
if you are not going we'll have it here on the Big Screens!

  Here's the Deal - You can catch BOTH the Tigers and the Red Wings on the Big H-D Screens at CUBS' A.C. in Ann Arbor during Happy Hour - Monday thru Friday from 12 Noon until 6 PM - and also.... Happy Hour II from 9:00pm 'til Midnite Mon-Thur - and enjoy $2.00 LARGE domestic drafts that are crisp, clean, cold and fresh.

 GO TIGERS!!    GO WINGS!!  

Game Notes: LOB_Minnesota 3, Detroit 5. 2B_C.Parmelee, O.Arcia, J.Peralta. 3B_D.Kelly. HR_J.Willingham (5) off M.Scherzer, A.Dirks (1) off M.Pelfrey, P.Fielder (6) off M.Pelfrey. SB_P.Florimon (1). GIDP_O.Infante. DP_Minnesota 1 (P.Florimon, B.Dozier and J.Morneau).  WP_M.Scherzer.
T_2:47. A_29878.
Umpires_Home,Paul Schrieber; First, Chad Fairchild; Second, Jeff Kellogg; Third, Chris Conroy.