Tigers Win Home Opener 3-2 Over Red Sox
DETROIT (WWJ/AP ) - Austin Jackson connects with a winning RBI single in the ninth inning as the Detroit Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 in the home opener Thursday.
A two-out RBI double by Alex Avila put the Tigers on the board first, scoring Jhonny Peralta, who also doubled with two out in the seventh inning.
The Avila RBI broke a scoreless tie as AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander went eight scoreless innings, allowing just two hits.
Jackson scored in the eighth inning off of a Prince Fielder sacrifice fly to center field.
The Red Sox rallied in the ninth to tie the score at 2 - 2.
Tigers overcame a blown save by Jose Valverde, (1-0) who blew a save for the first time in 52 chances, a streak that included 49 in a row last season.
With one out in the Tigers ninth, Jhonny Peralta and Alex Avila singled off Mark Melancon (0-1), and Ramon Santiago was hit by a pitch from Alfredo Aceves. Jackson followed with a sharp grounder past diving third baseman Nick Punto.
It was the biggest opening day crowd at Comerica Park with over 45,000 fans filling the stands for the beginning of the season.
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Pre-season talk of the big ticket players in the major leagues involved Detroit's Prince Fielder after the injury of Victor Martinez.
Lucrative deals came from unexpected places, with Albert Pujols getting $240 million from Angels owner Arte Moreno and Fielder $214 million from Tigers owner Mike Ilitch.
"Maybe they just have more saved up or something," Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said before his team opened against the Tigers. "Being here in Detroit, and seeing what Mr. Ilitch is trying to do around this area and for the city of Detroit - I think spending money on his team to make this city feel proud of something is a fabulous, fabulous effort."
Tune in to WXYT 1270 as the Detroit Tigers take on the Boston Red Sox on Saturday at 4:05 p.m.
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