DETROIT – After sweeping the Houston Astros, the Detroit Tigers are moving on to the American League Divisional Series for the first time since 2014.
The Tigers had to rally Wednesday (Oct. 2) as they tied the Astros 2-2 before infielder Andy Ibáñez smacked a beautiful line-drive bases-clearing double to left field to cap off a four-run eighth inning to cap off the sweep in game two of their American League Wild Card Series.
Ibáñez said he felt blessed to be the catalyst in his team’s advancement to the ALDS.
He also thanked God and the team for giving him the support he needed while also giving thanks to the fans back in Detroit.
Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows opened up the game with a solo home run at the top of the sixth inning.
The long ball doinked off of the “That Chicken” sign on the right field foul pole, which took the air out of the crowd inside Minute Made Park.
“It was a really good heater,” said Meadows. “I was trying to get on top of his (Hunter Brown) heater all day, and I was finally able to give us some momentum.”
Kerry Carpenter lit a fire underneath his teammates with an eighth-inning rally by singling with one out, which ultimately moved him to third base on a single by Matt Vierling, later tying the game two.
Vierling talked about the moment he and his teammates clinched a spot in the ALDS.
“It was huge for us, and we’re super excited just to bring a playoff game back to Detroit,” said Vierling. “To come down here and win two games on the road was huge for us.”
With the game then tied at 2-2, Colt Keith got on base after a two-out walk before Spencer Torkelson loaded the bases with a walk, leading to manager A.J. Hinch pinch-hitting Ibanez for Zach McKinstry and as they say, the rest is postseason history.
“It started with Carpenter,” said Torkelson. “It definitely hurt losing that lead in the seventh, but we never lost confidence in ourselves. Carp get a great knock there, and then Vierling comes up clutch, and then we just kept the line moving.”
The Tigers used seven arms after Triple-Crown pitcher Tarik Skubal achieved his first playoff victory on Tuesday in a dominating fashion.
--> Tarik Skubal dominates Astros to lead Detroit Tigers to win in Game 1 of wild card round
Skubal, the presumptive Cy Young winner for the American League, talked about the joy of advancing to the ALDS and getting the first playoff win of his young career.
“This feels great,” said Skubal. “Winning is the best thing ever. Nothing beats winning. Winning cures everything.”
Waiting on the Tigers are division foes, the Cleveland Guardians, in a best-of-seven series, with game one on Saturday.
