Till that point, Verlander was dominant through six and a third innings with eight strikeouts. The former Cy Young winner finished the game with eight strong innings allowing just four hits and one run while fanning 10 earning him his sixth post-season start with at-least 10 strikeouts.
On the other end, John Lackey proved to be the better pitcher at the end of the night as he shut down the Detroit lineup. The Boston right-hander left after 6.2 solid innings allowing just four hits and striking out eight. The Red Sox bullpen finished it off from there with Koji Uehara notching the four out-save and striking out Alex Avila to end the game.
The Detroit offense went 0-7 with runners in scoring position including a major spot in the bottom of the fifth with one out and Johnny Peralta at third. Lackey struck out Omar Infante and had Andy Dirks ground out to second to end the threat. Torii Hunter and Victor Martinez led the charge for Detroit with two hits a piece and Miguel Cabrera went 0-4. The Tigers held another grand opportunity to bring home the potential tying run in the bottom of the eight as with runners at the corners and only one out, Cabrera and Prince Fielder struck out to complete what would be a disappointing night for Jim Leyland's offense.
This game continued an impressive pitching display by both sides in the series so far as all three games were decided by a run. Detroit starters combined for an incredible 21 innings pitched, two runs, six hits, and 35 Ks between Anibal Sanchez, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander in the first three games of the series.
Doug Fister looks to continue that trend as he takes the mound against Jake Peavy and the Red Sox tonight in game four of the ALCS. This one looks like yet another duel as the Tigers hope to even the series up.
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