Tigers Demolished By The Rangers, Lose ALCS 4-2
ARLINGTON, TX (WWJ/AP) - The Detroit Tigers lose in the biggest way to the Texas Rangers 15-5 in Game 6 of the ALCS on Saturday night.
No hope of a World Series for the Tigers after losing the series 4 games to 2 to the Rangers.
A promising start for the Tigers ends in a bombardment by the Rangers in what would be the deciding game in the ALCS.
As heard on 97.1 The Ticket - the Tigers got on the board first scoring two runs in the first two innings but then they were hit by a third inning that would not end - the Rangers scoring nine runs and Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer made his departure.
Nelson Cruz was a dominating factor in this game as in others and the Texas Rangers are headed to their second straight World Series, finishing off the Detroit Tigers to become the American League's first repeat champion in a decade.
Cruz set a postseason record with his sixth home run of the series, Michael Young hit a pair of two-run doubles in a nine-run third inning, to help the Rangers win the AL pennant in six games.
They'll open the World Series on Wednesday night at St. Louis or Milwaukee, seeking the first title in the history of a franchise that started play in 1961.
Cruz had 13 RBIs in the series, another postseason record, and was selected MVP.
"He was unbelievable," teammate Adrian Beltre said. "Every moment we needed him, he came through."
Young, who also homered, had five RBIs in the finale, and the longest-tenured player on the Rangers helped make sure the World Series will again be deep in the heart of Texas.
Young caught Brandon Inge's game-ending popout in short right field and pumped a fist into the air signaling "No. 1" while fireworks and confetti filled the air, then ran toward the middle of the field to celebrate with his teammates.
Cruz threw both hands in the air and briefly knelt to a knee in the outfield before running to the infield for the ginger ale-spraying celebration to come while a banner was unfurled high over center field declaring the Rangers 2011 AL champions.
With former President George W. Bush seated in the front row alongside Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, part of the ownership group that took over the team last year, Rangers manager Ron Washington was at the edge of the dugout wildly waving his arms and shouting encouragement to his players as the big inning unfolded.
All Tigers manager Jim Leyland could do was take off his cap and scratch his head.
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