Rays/MLB

Where they left off

Detroit's hot postseason play carries over to opener against Oakland.

By MARC TOPKIN
Published October 11, 2006

OAKLAND, Calif. - Maybe the Detroit Tigers have a point.

Having quickly dismissed the mighty Yankees in the first round - which seemed to cause just a wee bit of commotion in New York - the Tigers felt a bit slighted. A few complained that more was being made of what the Yankees failed to do, than what they did, which was outhit, outpitch, out-hustle and outplay what had been the league's best team.

If their performance in Tuesday's opening game of the American League Championship Series against Oakland was an indication of what's to come, that shouldn't happen again.

The Tigers roared to an impressive 5-1 win that was steeped in significance.

They beat Oakland's best pitcher, left-hander Barry Zito, whose opening-game win over Twins ace Johan Santana was the key to Oakland's division series sweep.

They limited the A's mighty offense to one eighth-inning run, getting them to ground into a League Championship Series record four double plays while holding them 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position, tying the postseason record for futility.

And they negated the A's homefield advantage in the best-of-seven series.

"We're definitely playing pretty well," closer Todd Jones said. "We've already ruined one party with the Yankees and now everyone is saying the Mets are going to win the World Series. But we don't care. We've been the greatest team since the '27 Yankees and the worst team ever all in one season. We're feeling pretty good."

The Tigers raised eyebrows by starting the least heralded member of their rotation, Nate Robertson, in the opener, but he did enough to make them look good about their decision, and feel better about the result.

The left-hander worked five shutout innings, allowing nine men to reach base (five singles, a double, and three walks) but no big hits. The A's had the leadoff man on in all five innings (and the first two in three) but Robertson denied them, getting them to ground into double plays three times.

His most impressive escape, though, came in the fourth after Frank Thomas walked and Jay Payton doubled. Robertson struck out Eric Chavez swinging, struck out Nick Swisher swinging, and struck out Marco Scutaro looking.

If this was Zito's last start in Oakland before he leaves as a free agent, it wasn't a good way to say goodbye. Zito retired the first eight, but then he had trouble getting anybody out, and failed to get through the fourth, throwing 92 pitches.

Zito gave up two runs in a 38-pitch third on a series of improbable events: a two-out homer by No. 9 hitter Brandon Inge (who was 3-for-3), back-to-back walks by the Tigers after a double by Curtis Granderson and a ground ball single off the glove of usually golden third baseman Eric Chavez.

It got worse the next inning when the Tigers scored three more. Ivan Rodriguez hit a leadoff homer, Craig Monroe walked, substitute second baseman D'Angelo Jimenez threw wildly trying to complete a double play, Inge doubled in one run and Placido Polanco singled in the other.

Zito was something of a postseason ace, going into the start with a 4-2 record and 2.43 ERA in six previous postseason starts, though all at the division series round. Zito is considered, along with Jason Schmidt, the top starter on the free agent market and is unlikely to return to the A's.

The night was not all good for the Tigers. First baseman and No. 3 hitter Sean Casey left with a left calf injury after pulling up while running to first on a sixth-inning groundout. He is likely out tonight.

They shifted shortstop Carlos Guillen to first, and he made a seventh-inning error, but erased it by starting a double play.

The Tigers had good reason to be confident, having won the season series over the A's 5-4, outscoring them 52-39, holding them hitters to a paltry .229 average (only the Angels did better) while running their pitchers' ERA up to 5.18.

[Last modified October 11, 2006, 01:46:21]