Game 1 Recap

Detroit Tigers 4 (1-0) - Minnesota Twins 2 (0-1)
WP: Justin Verlander (1-0,  0.00 ERA) LP: Vance Worley (0-1, 4.50 ERA) 
S: Phil Coke (1)

Summary:
     
     The Tigers struck early for two runs in the top of the first and never looked back. Miguel Cabrera had an RBI fielders choice followed by an RBI double from Prince Fielder that brought Cabrera around to score. In the second, Omar Infante drove in Jhonny Peralta to take a 3-0 lead which seemed to be enough for Verlander.

     Verlander went five scoreless innings, however, he struggled with his command throughout the start and it caused him to have an earlier exit than we're accustomed to seeing out of him. It was plenty good enough though to get the win. Drew Smyly's rough sixth and beginning of the seventh tightened the game up as he allowed 2 runs to score, but Al Albuquerque came on to clean up Smyly's mess in the seventh with the lead still intact. Joaquin Benoit and Phil Coke neatly took care of the last six outs from there with a wild pitch from Minnesota allowing Prince Fielder to rumble home in the eighth with an insurance run and the Tigers prevailed on Opening Day 4-2. 

3 Alpha Cats:

• Alburquerque/Benoit/Coke: These guys provided stellar work in relief providing the final eight outs, four by strikeout, while only allowing two base runners. Phil Coke ended up with the two out save. So far, Leyland's closing committee is one for one. 

• Jhonny Peralta: Jhonny had a good day at the plate going 2-3 with a walk, scored a run, and had a steal(!). He along with Omar Infante helped set the table for sluggers at the top

• Justin Verlander: Although he only lasted 5 innings, and struggled with control, he kept the Twins scoreless while he was on the bump and did what he had to for a win. 

3 Kittens:

• Alex Avila: Really an all around brutal day for the Tigers' backstop today.  In the way only Avila can, he took a battering behind the dish. At the plate he just got battered by Twins pitchers. On the day he went 0-4 and struck out looking with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth.  With the Tigers only up one run, he moved out of the way of a pitch headed at his legs. I have two huge pet peeves that he violated in the same at bat, getting out of the way of a pitch in key situations and taking strike three with runners in scoring position and less than two out. This earns Avila kitten status for the day.

• Drew Smyly: Drew Smyly also had a rough day in relief for the Tigers. I think the disappointment from missing out on a rotation spot, in addition to the cold weather, he came out of the bullpen in shambles and never found his form. He threw 41 pitches of which only 18 were strikes. He never got into a groove and as a result of wildness allowed the Twins to score a couple of runs and get back in the game.

• Miguel Cabrera: Yes, the reigning MVP did have an RBI, but he also went 0-5 with a couple of strikeouts. The reigning triple crown winner had a rough day at the plate, but those will happen throughout the course of the season. Just consider it good that Miggy got an 0-5 out of the way in the course of a Tigers victory