The New York Yankees failed in their bid to reach the American League Championship Series, losing to the Detroit Tigers, 3-2, Thursday night in the decisive Game 5 of their American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium. Detroit advances to face the Texas Rangers in a series that will begin on Saturday.
The Yankees left the bases loaded in both the fourth and seventh innings. New York got 10 hits, but stranded 11 base runners in all, and went just two-for-nine with runners in scoring position.
Detroit got two runs in the first inning on back-to-back home runs by Don Kelly and Delmon Young off Yankee starter and loser Ivan Nova. Nova lasted just two innings, leaving the game with forearm tightness. New York used seven pitchers in all.
With the score 2-0, the Yankees loaded the bases in the fourth inning with one out. Russell Martin popped out to first base and Brett Gardner popped to third against Detroit starter and winner Doug Fister.
Trailing 3-1 in the seventh inning the Yankees loaded the bases again on one out singles by Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano. Alex Rodriguez struck out and after a walk to Mark Teixeira forced in a run, Tigers reliever Joaquin Benoit struck out Nick Swisher to end the threat.
Detroit closer Jose Valverde pitched a one-two-three ninth inning, striking out Rodriguez to end the game.
The Yankees were undone in the series by the lack of production from the middle of their batting order. Rodriguez hit .111, Teixeira .167 and Swisher .211 in the five-game series. The trio combined to strand eight base runners Thursday night.