Stopping the Bleeding

The site of Victor Martinez rounding the bases after his fourth-inning home run looking as if he were gut-shot seems to symbolize the Tigers' post-season: a war of attrition. Martinez tied the game, which the Tigers would go on to win, but at the same time strained an oblique muscle (it isn't until recent years I even knew human beings had oblique muscles). Martinez didn't have to leave the game, but as the Tigers are forced to stretch their bench and make an uphill climb against the Rangers, it was a gutty win.

The credit goes mostly to Doug Fister, who after allowing a first-inning run, settled down and pitched seven scoreless innings. He was helped by some luck here and there, but mostly it was dazzling stuff. The Tigers also got some help from the previously quiet Austin Jackson, who had three hits, matching his entire total from the previous seven post-season games.

The Tigers got help from the home crowd and the long ball. Miguel Cabrera, the potent force in their lineup, hadn't had an RBI since game 2 of the ALDS, but he had two tonight, one of them on a long home run. That run was the first off a Rangers' reliever this post-season.

The Tigers are reminding me of the 1988 Dodgers, who had a great pitcher (Orel Hershiser) and somehow patched together a lineup. Does anyone remember Mickey Hatcher. The odds are still long against them, but it's not unprecedented.

The win tonight ensures that Justin Verlander will pitch again, as he's set for game 5. Rick Porcello will start this afternoon.