A Game of Inches

Baseball fans of a certain age will remember a plaintive cry that came from Giants fans--"If only McCovey had hit the ball a foot higher!" It stemmed from the 1962 World Series, when McCovey, batting against the Yankees with two runners in scoring position and the Giants down a run, lined out to Bobby Richardson at second base, ending the series. In reality, McCovey probably had to hit the ball three feet higher, but the distance lessened over time.

I bring that up because the Tigers had a similar instance in last night's game 4 of the ALDS. It seems absurd to say that one play changed everything in a game that ended 10-1, but I think it did. The Yankees had sent the much maligned A.J. Burnett to the mound, needing to use him because of the disruption of the rain delay. Everyone, it seemed, anticipated Burnett getting knocked around. Though he didn't allow a hit, the Tigers loaded the bases in the first inning. A Yankee reliever was warming up in the bullpen. Don Kelly stepped to the plate and lined a ball over centerfielder Curtis Granderson's head. It looked like a bases-clearing triple. Except that Granderson, who initially moved in, doubled back and snagged the ball full extended over his head.

I was crushed. What could have been a 3-0 inning turned into nothing. Burnett, given new life, settled down, and only allowed a Victor Martinez home run. He left in the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth, with the Yankees ahead 4-1, Granderson again saved the Yankees with a full laid-out catch of a Jhonny Peralta line drive. I turned the game off, figuring the Tigers would not score against the Yankees bullpen. I was right.

The Yankees, though, poured it on against the beleaguered Tigers' middle relief. The series will now go back to New York on Thursday, with Doug Fister against Ivan Nova. Nothing is certain, but it seems bleak for the Tigers. They can win on the road, but they've got to get the bats working. Austin Jackson and Alex Avila have not been hitting, and even the big guns Miguel Cabrera and Martinez could be contributing more.

Tonight I get a reprieve. I could use it.