SB Nation Bay Area - Athletics vs. Tigers, ALDS: Tigers win series 3-2, Verlander gem ends A's miracle seasonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2012-10-12T05:02:07-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/32164672012-10-12T05:02:07-07:002012-10-12T05:02:07-07:00Disappointing end won't overshadow A's season
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<p>The Oakland A's season came to end Thursday night in part thanks to a Cy Young worthy performance from the reigning Cy Young winner. <span>Justin Verlander</span> threw 122 pitches, striking out 11 A's batters in the process. Instead of focusing on the negatives of the loss, the fellas at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/2012/10/11/3492228/it-was-still-a-great-season">Athletics Nations</a> took a step back on the pain of the loss and instead decided to focus on everything that went right this season.</p>
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<p>"<span>Jarrod Parker</span> proved down the stretch that he is a money pitcher. There were 15 walkoff victories, none bigger than last night's. There was a 4-game home sweep of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a>, something that no Oakland A's team had ever acomplished. Despite the minute chances given to them at the beginning of the season, the A's will hang a 2012 AL West Banner at the Coliseum next year, and knocked off the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> and Los Angeles <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> to do it. <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> proved to be the signing of the offseason, and is a legitimate five-tool player. <span>Sean Doolittle</span> emerged as one of the game's premier setup men, and one of the game's best stories, period."</p>
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<p>It wasn't the season fans expected and it wasn't the finish fans were hoping for, but the Oakland A's gave their fans a wild ride this season and, perhaps more importantly, an exciting foundation to cheer on for seasons to come.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/athletics/2012/10/12/3492504/athletics-tigers-2012-alds-game-5Trevor Zickgraf2012-10-11T21:59:00-07:002012-10-11T21:59:00-07:00A's miracle season over, fall to Tigers 6-0
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<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Verlander struck out 11 and threw a complete game as the Tigers beat up on the A's, 6-0, ending Oakland's miracle season.</p> <p>The Oakland A's attempt to be the second Bay Area team to come back from an 0-2 series deficit fell short as they lost to the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> on Thursday, 6-0. For the second time this series, the A's couldn't break through against the Tigers' ace, <span>Justin Verlander</span>. The reigning AL Cy Young threw a shutout, allowing only four hits and striking out 11.</p>
<p>A's starting pitcher <span>Jarrod Parker</span> hung with Verlander until a disastrous seventh inning, when the Tigers batted around the order, scoring four runs. Parker allowed two runs to score before reliever <span>Ryan Cook</span> came on and allowed two runs. Cook was pulled without recording an out.</p>
<p>The A's managed to get two runners on in the eighth inning when <span>Josh Donaldson</span> and <span>Cliff Pennington</span> both singled before Game 4 hero <span>Coco Crisp</span> grounded to second to end the inning. Verlander came out for the ninth inning, getting <span>Stephen Drew</span> to strike out. Yoennis Cespedes and <span>Seth Smith</span> then both grounded out to send the A's home and the Tigers on to the American League Championship Series.</p>
<p>They'll face either the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> or <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Orioles</a>, who play Game 5 Friday afternoon afternoon at Yankee Stadium.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/athletics/2012/10/11/3492154/2012-alds-game-5-athletics-tigers-final-score-recapTrevor Zickgraf2012-10-11T15:46:14-07:002012-10-11T15:46:14-07:00Game 5 lineup for the Tigers against the Athletics
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<p>Coming off the high of a walk-off victory from the bat of <span>Coco Crisp</span>, the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> will face Detroit Tigers ace <span>Justin Verlander</span> in Game 5 of the ALDS Thursday night in O.co Coliseum.</p>
<p>Verlander is 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA against Oakland this year, but for an Oakland team that's made a season of comebacks, that won't be a sign for concern. Oakland counters with <span>Jarrod Parker</span> as its starting pitcher.</p>
<p>Each team sends out similar batting lineups to Game 4, though A's manager Bob Melvin moved Brandon Moss from the fourth slot to the seventh in the batting order for Game 5. Designated hitter <span>Seth Smith</span> has swapped into the fourth spot for Oakland.</p>
<p><b><a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a></b></p>
<p>1. Austin Jackson, CF<br>2. <span>Quintin Berry</span>, LF<br>3. <span>Miguel Cabrera</span>, 3B<br>4. <span>Prince Fielder</span>, 1B<br>5. <span>Delmon Young</span>, DH<br>6. <span>Andy Dirks</span>, RF<br>7. <span>Jhonny Peralta</span>, SS<br>8. <span>Alex Avila</span>, C<br>9. <span>Omar Infante</span>, 2B</p>
<p><b>Oakland Athletics</b></p>
<p>1. Coco Crisp, CF<br>2. <span>Stephen Drew</span>, SS<br>3. <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span>, LF<br>4. Seth Smith,DH<br>5. <span>Josh Reddick</span>, RF<br>6. <span>Josh Donaldson</span>, 3B<br>7. Brandon Moss, 1B<br>8. Derek Norris, C<br>9. <span>Cliff Pennington</span>, 2B</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/athletics/2012/10/11/3490876/tigers-vs-athletics-lineups-game-5Kevin Zimmerman2012-10-11T05:02:49-07:002012-10-11T05:02:49-07:00A's fans react to walk-off win
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> have been part of dramatic postseason comebacks before, they are just used to being on the other side of them. After falling down 2-0 in the series then trailing 3-1 going into the ninth inning of Game 4, the Athletics somehow find themselves hosting a winner-take-all Game 5.</p>
<p>Following Wednesday's dramatic Game 4 win, Athletics fans found out what it feels like to be on the other side of a comeback. As pointed out in the <a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/2012/10/10/3487346/the-amazing-as-of-2012-summon-late-inning-magic-overcome-9th-inning" target="_blank">post game recap at SB Nation's Oakland blog Athletics Nation</a>, being on the comeback side is a lot more fun.</p>
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<p> You know what? Game 5's feel a lot better on this side. So much better, in fact; and believe me, I speak from years of experience, that if you are going to lose two out of four games, definitely lose the first two. Especially when you are in the one weird year of playoff baseball where games 3, 4, and 5 are played at home.</p>
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<p>Even after tying the game in the ninth, the Athletics looked to be headed to extra innings when <span>Coco Crisp</span> came to the plate. Once the goat of the series for a costly error, Crisp came through with the hit to complete the comeback and make the A's what Athletics Nation called the "unlikeliest of walk-off winners."</p>
<p>The A's, and their fans, will have to catch their breath quickly as Oakland will face Detroit in the deciding Game 5 Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:37 p.m. PT.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/athletics/2012/10/11/3487482/athletics-tigers-2012-alds-game-4Mark Sandritter2012-10-11T05:02:40-07:002012-10-11T05:02:40-07:00Athletics turn to Jarrod Parker in deciding Game 5
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<figcaption>Leon Halip - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>After an improbable ninth inning comeback on Wednesday, the Athletics will now look to advance to the American League Championship Series on Thursday.
</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> were just three outs from being eliminated from the postseason. Now, after a three-run ninth inning rally on Wednesday, they are hosting Game 5 of the ALDS with a chance to advance to the American League Championship Series.</p>
<p>After overcoming the odds to rally from a 3-1 deficit against <span>Jose Valverde</span> on Wednesday, the Athletics will face another difficult task on Thursday as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> turn to ace <span>Justin Verlander</span> in the deciding Game 5. Verlander struck out 11 while allowing just one run over seven innings in Game 1 of the series. Including the playoffs, Verlander has started three games against the Athletics season, allowing just two runs over 20 innings. </p>
<p>While the Tigers send out one of the best pitchers in baseball, the Athletics will hand the ball to a rookie in Game 5. <span>Jarrod Parker</span>, who began the season in Triple-A, will start the deciding game for the Athletics. Parker took the loss in the first game of the series, but was solid, allowing two earned runs over 6-1/3-innings. While Parker may not have Verlander's pedigree or experience, he does have the home ballpark to his advantage. In 15 home starts this season, Parker posted a 2.61 ERA. That's compared to the 4.54 ERA he had in 14 road starts.</p>
<p>First pitch of Thursday's Game 5 is scheduled for 6:37 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/athletics/2012/10/11/3487422/as-tigers-2012-alds-game-5Mark Sandritter2012-10-10T22:10:34-07:002012-10-10T22:10:34-07:00A's walk-off again with ninth-inning rally
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Josh Reddick, Josh Donaldson, Seth Smith, and Coco Crisp rallied the A's with three runs in the bottom of the ninth to give the A's a 4-3 walkoff win. </p> <p>The walk-off kings of baseball did it again. The <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> rallied with three runs in the bottom of the ninth to win 4-3 over the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> in Game 4 of the ALDS. <span>Josh Reddick</span> led off with a single, <span>Josh Donaldson</span> doubled to put both A's in scoring position, and then <span>Seth Smith</span> doubled to right center field to tie the game at 3-3. After two outs by the A's, <span>Coco Crisp</span> singled to shallow right to bring in Smith and tie the series at 2-2.</p>
<p>It's the 15th walk-off win of the year for the A's, and it sets up a winner-take-all Game 5 in Oakland on Thursday night.</p>
<p>The Tigers were the ones to go first in the third inning. <span>Alex Avila</span> doubled to right field, moved over to third base on the next hit, then an RBI single by Austin Jackson brought him home to make it 1-0. <span>Prince Fielder</span> homered to make it 2-0. A's pitcher <span>A.J. Griffin</span> was lifted at the top of the sixth inning after giving up seven hits, two runs and six innings. <br><br>The A's managed to get one run back in the sixth inning. A fielding error allowed Crisp to move onto second. A wild pitch advanced him to third. A <span>Stephen Drew</span> RBI double brought Crisp home to make it 2-1 Detroit, but Drew was waved to third base and was called out.</p>
<p>Detroit got an additional run on an <span>Avisail Garcia</span> pinch-hit RBI single to make it 3-1, but Oakland brought back the magic in the ninth.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2012/10/10/3487298/2012-alds-game-4-athletics-tigers-final-score-recapAvinash Kunnath2012-10-10T20:59:32-07:002012-10-10T20:59:32-07:00A's trail Tigers 2-1 after six innings
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Oakland Athletics cut the Detroit Tigers' lead to 2-1 behind a Stephen Drew RBI double that brought home Coco Crisp.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> struck first against the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a>. In the top of the 3rd inning, <span>Alex Avila</span> of the Tigers doubled to right field, got moved to third on a sacrifice by <span>Omar Infante</span>, then came home on an RBI single by Austin Jackson to give Detroit a 1-0 lead. <span>Prince Fielder</span> homered to deep right field to make it 2-0. <span>A.J. Griffin</span> gave up seven hits and throw 85 pitches before being lifted at the top of the sixth inning.<br><br>The A's managed to get one run back in the sixth inning. A fielding error by Fielder allowed Coco Crisp to get to first and then to second. A wild pitch advanced him to third, then <span>Stephen Drew's</span> RBI double brought Crisp home to make it 2-1 Detroit. However, third base coach Mike Gallego probably made an error waving Drew to third. Drew was called out. The Tigers managed to get the final two outs to escape the bottom of the sixth, and if they win would advance to the American League Championship Series.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/athletics/2012/10/10/3487084/detroit-tigers-vs-oakland-athletics-score-updateAvinash Kunnath2012-10-10T14:04:28-07:002012-10-10T14:04:28-07:00Tigers, Athletics lineups for Game 4
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> will send pitcher <span>A.J. Griffin</span> to the mound against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a>, hoping the rookie can help the team tie up the AL Division Series at 2-2 with a Game 4 victory at home. Two games in Detroit didn't go well for Oakland, but Bob Melvin's club regained the momentum Tuesday with a 2-0 victory to remain alive.</p>
<p>It was done with defense, as the A's limited the Tigers to four hits in the outing.</p>
<p>Detroit will go with <span>Max Scherzer</span> on the mound. He has been dealing with minor ankle and shoulder injuries but has otherwise looked sharp in his last 10 outings, going 6-1 with a 1.65 ERA over that span. Manager Jim Leyland has said that Scherzer is 100 percent healthy.</p>
<p><b>Detroit Tigers</b></p>
<p>1. Austin Jackson, CF<br>2. <span>Quintin Berry</span>, LF<br>3. <span>Miguel Cabrera</span>, 3B<br>4. <span>Prince Fielder</span>, 1B<br>5. <span>Delmon Young</span>, DH<br>6. <span>Andy Dirks</span>, RF<br>7. <span>Jhonny Peralta</span>, SS<br>8. <span>Alex Avila</span>, C<br>9. <span>Omar Infante</span>, 2B</p>
<p><b>Oakland Athletics</b></p>
<p>1. <span>Coco Crisp</span>, CF<br>2. <span>Stephen Drew</span>, SS<br>3. <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span>, LF<br>4. Brandon Moss,1B<br>5. <span>Josh Reddick</span>, RF<br>6. <span>Josh Donaldson</span>, 3B<br>7. <span>Seth Smith</span>, DH<br>8. Derek Norris, C<br>9. <span>Cliff Pennington</span>, 2B</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/athletics/2012/10/10/3485340/tigers-vs-athletics-lineups-oakland-rolls-with-griffin-on-the-moundKevin Zimmerman