Game 4 Recap

New York Yankees 3, Detroit Tigers 8

WP: Doug Fister (1-0, 5.40 ERA)   LP: Ivan Nova (0-1, 7.71 ERA)    S: Drew Smyly (1)

Summary: 

     Again, the Tigers jumped out to an early lead scoring twice in the first couple of innings on Ivan Nova while driving his pitch count up. Austin Jackson started off the game with a lead off single for the 4th time in 4 games and after a successful hit and run from Torii Hunter, was able to come home on a RBI ground out from Miguel Cabrera. In the second, Omar Infante picked up and RBI single driving in Andy Dirks who swiped a bag to get himself in scoring position.

     After the first two innings, the Tigers' bats went silent as the Yankees stormed back to take a 3-2 lead after Kevin Youkilis went yard followed by a wild pitch from Doug Fister to take the lead. The Tigers seemed to be woken up by the Yankees rally, specifically Prince Fielder who wasted no time in reclaiming the lead with a three run blast that put the score at 5-3 in favor of the home team.

     Drew Smyly came on in relief of Doug Fister in the 6th inning after Fister continued a trend of Tigers' starters only lasting five innings and pitched brilliantly. He faced twelve batters and sat all of the down in four dominant innings striking out five in the process. While Smyly was doing his thing, Alex Avila managed to get himself going with a bomb to right in the bottom of the sixth. Fielder also decided that one was not enough and went yard on a two-run big fly in the bottom of the seventh to stake the Tigers to a 8-3 lead.

Earned their Stripes:

• Prince Fielder: Fielder went off today in a big way. 2-4 with 2 HRs and 5 RBI is the definition of earning your stripes. His three-run jack in the sixth to instantly reclaim a lead was clutch and very needed this afternoon. His second bomb all but putting away the game was icing on the cake for a great home opener for Prince.

• Drew Smyly: In his second appearance of the season Drew Smyly had a great showing earning the rare 12 out save. He was dominant through his four innings and completely shut down the Yankees. He saved the bullpen for the rest of the weekend which is very important going forward. 

• Omar Infante: Infante has been the Tigers' most consistent early this year and drove in the second run of the day. He ended up 2-4 with an RBI and one run scored. 

Declawed:

• Doug Fister: Maybe this is a little harsh here, but Doug didn't make it into the sixth inning, and definitely struggled with his command. As a result, despite getting the win, he got beat up a little bit today.

• Miguel Cabrera: Despite driving in another run today, Miggy just hasn't looked comfortable in the box yet. No worries here though as he'll end the year at the same place he normally does which is the top of the league in about every hitting category. 

Outlook:

     Giving the home fans something to cheer about will give the Tigers something to feel good about as well and they will sleep well tonight in their own beds. Tomorrow they will look to continue the momentum as they give the ball to Max Scherzer who the Yankees will counter with David Phelps. Tomorrow's start time is at 4:05 PM on FOX.