SB Nation New York - Yankees Vs. Tigers ALDS Game 4: New York Routs Detroit, Forces Game 5https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-10-05T09:45:52-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22324022011-10-05T09:45:52-04:002011-10-05T09:45:52-04:00Yankees Vs. Tigers, ALDS Game 4 Turning Point: Granderson's First-Inning Catch
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<p><i>Every Major League postseason game has a turning point -- a moment that was crucial to one team winning or losing. During the American League Division Series between the <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/mlb/teams/new-york-yankees" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> and <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/mlb/teams/detroit-tigers" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a>, SB Nation New York has decided to select a turning point for each game. We will relive that moment and break it down to explain why if it didn't happen, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/mlb/teams/new-york-yankees">Yankees</a> would have either won or lost the game. If you have an opinion, please feel free to discuss in the comment section below. (Turning point: <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/10/2/2463028/yankees-vs-tigers-alds-game-1-turning-point-derek-jeter-curtis-granderson-robinson-cano/in/2223997">Game 1</a></i><i>, <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/10/3/2465751/yankees-vs-tigers-alds-game-2-turning-point-robinson-cano-jose-valverde-curtis-granderson/in/2227652">Game 2</a>, </i><a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/10/4/2468216/yankees-vs-tigers-alds-game-3-delmon-youngs-home-run/in/2230531">Game 3</a><i>.)</i></p>
<p>Curtis Granderson may or may not have earned his first ever AL MVP award during the regular season, but nobody is arguing the value of No. 14 Wednesday morning. The second-year Yankee made two spectacular catches Tuesday night in New York's 10-1 victory over Detroit in Game 4 of the ALDS at Comerica Park.The win helped the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> tie the best-of-five series at 2-2 and force a decisive Game 5, which will be played Thursday at Yankee Stadium.</p>
<p>The most impressive of the catches came in the bottom of the sixth inning when he <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=19843223&query=%26game_pk%3D317043">sprinted and dove, fully extended, to rob Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta of a single</a>. The catch ended the inning and silenced the crowd in Detroit.</p>
<p>But, the SB Nation New York's<a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_10_04_nyamlb_detmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=nyy#gid=2011_10_04_nyamlb_detmlb_1&mode=video"> turning point moment </a>came in the bottom of the first inning when Yankee starting pitcher <span>A.J. Burnett</span> walked the bases loaded. With two outs, after Yankee pitching coach Larry Rothschild came to the mound to talk to the shaky pitcher, Detroit outfielder <span>Don Kelly</span> smoked the first pitch he saw from Burnett to center field. Granderson, who initially came in to catch the ball, realized the ball was going over his head. Granderson leaped up, snagged the ball and then tumbled to the ground for the final out of the inning.</p>
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<p><i>Jim Leyland on <span>Curtis Granderson's</span> Catch (via <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=51JaQkzfEI8">CBSSports</a>) </i></p>
<p><a href="http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=74859">After the game</a>, Granderson admitted that the catch wasn't that easy:</p>
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<p>"Right away I thought he hit it right to me," said Granderson "I took a step in and froze. It started to get some air. At least for my perspective, it kind of went up. I was, like, oh man. I was able to go ahead and not be committed one away or the other. I ended up having to leave my feet, which I didn't want to. I ended up reeling it in finally at the end. Don Kelly came up to me later in the game he goes, "how did you do it?" I said, "You hit it that hard. If you didn't hit it that hard, it would have fell in and been a base hit."</p>
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<p>If Granderson doesn't make that first-inning catch, Detroit scores at least three runs, possibly four because Kelly has decent speed. But, Granderson saved Burnett from a disastrous inning and, from there, he was able to settle down and pitch 5 2/3 innings with just one earned run.</p>
<p>At the plate, Granderson finished the game 1-for-5, including run-scoring double in the fifth inning.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/10/5/2470626/yankees-vs-tigers-alds-game-4-curtis-granderson-don-kelly-aj-burnettJared Smith2011-10-05T08:36:13-04:002011-10-05T08:36:13-04:00Yankees-Tigers ALDS Game 4: Post-Game Reactions
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<p>Here are some of the post-game reactions from the New York Yankees’ 10-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of their American League Division Series Tuesday night. The deciding Game 5 is Thursday at Yankee Stadium.</p>
<p>Yankees manager Joe Girardi:</p>
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<p><strong>Q. Joe, you’ve talked for a couple of days about your belief that A.J. would come through with the big game. How happy were you to see him come up with that performance? </strong><br>
<span class="caps">JOE</span> <span class="caps">GIRARDI</span>: I was thrilled for him, but I was thrilled for us. What he did 5 2/3 and only giving up that one run. A great performance. Struggled a little bit in the first inning. And then really settled down nicely.</p>
<p><strong>Q. Joe, when you saw that ball leave Kelly’s bat, did you think that might be trouble for Curtis? </strong><br>
<span class="caps">JOE</span> <span class="caps">GIRARDI</span>: I thought, you know, it was going to be an out. Then it just kept carrying and carrying, then I got a little bit nervous. Curtis made two great grabs. If that ends up a base hit, it very well could have changed the complexion of this game.</p>
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<p>Yankee outfielder Curtis Granderson:</p>
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<p><strong>Q. Obviously the first one (catch) saved three runs, the second one only one. That one probably had more impact. Which one was the more difficult catch? </strong><br>
<span class="caps">CURTIS</span> <span class="caps">GRANDERSON</span>: I would say the second one, because of the distance I had to go. The first one I didn’t have to move too far for it but I did have to freeze on it. It does make that play very difficult. Once you end up on your heels, now it’s hard to go ahead and generate some speed. For the second one to have to go as far as I did and then have to leave my feet like that. <br>
The good thing thought if I do miss that one, Gardner is there. For the first one if I miss that one, there’s nothing there but the wall back there and some ivy.</p>
<p><strong>Q. Curtis, what impact do you think that first one had on your starting pitcher?</strong> <br>
<span class="caps">CURTIS</span> <span class="caps">GRANDERSON</span>: I think it was great. I don’t pitch, but at the same time I know it’s definitely a lot easier to go out there and mentally different knowing you’re still tied versus being behind. Who knows what could have happened at that point. Especially with it being — I think the first inning, we get behind in an elimination game. Here in Detroit, the fans stay in it, the fans get more into it, and now everything stays up staying neutral and we are able to keep it right where we want to. And Derek comes up with the big hit to finally put us on the board first.</p>
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<p>Tigers manager Jim Leyland:</p>
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<p><strong>Q. Jim, when the game was still close, can you talk about Granderson’s catches and how big those were? </strong><br>
<span class="caps">JIM</span> <span class="caps">LEYLAND</span>: I thought — it’s funny, sometimes you pick a key out in the game, and I think the key out in the game happened in the very first inning when Donnie Kelly smoked that ball and Grandy made a good play. It looked like it might get over his head. If it would have gotten over his head and he had fallen down, it might have been an inside-the-park home run. That was a huge out right off the bat. And of course he made another very nice catch.</p>
<p><strong>Q. You’ve talked a few times throughout the series that this is exciting, it’s fun. Can you talk now going into Yankee Stadium, everything on the line. </strong><br>
<span class="caps">JIM</span> <span class="caps">LEYLAND</span>: I think that’s great. There’s no question about it. Yankee Stadium, it’s going to be hopping. But I think I want to take this opportunity to certainly thank our fans. I think the excitement here matches anywhere. I think you saw what was going on here last night and again tonight, until it got out of the hand, I think it matches anywhere. <br>
It’s a great place, Yankee Stadium. This new stadium doesn’t have the history, obviously, that the old one did, but still it’s going to be a great atmosphere. We’ll see what happens.</p>
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<p>Yankees pitchers A.J. Burnett:</p>
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<p><strong>Q. A.J., when the ball leaves Kelly’s bat in the first inning, did you think it would be caught? </strong><br>
A.J. <span class="caps">BURNETT</span>: At first, no. It was a line drive. I guess it kind of stayed up there a little longer than Curtis expected it. He’s made plays for us like that all year. Even last year. So we don’t win that game tonight without defense.</p>
<p><strong>Q. A.J., you mentioned it was a little nerve-racking the first inning. When you first went out there, were you nervous or amped up or in any way for this —</strong><br>
A.J. <span class="caps">BURNETT</span>: Yeah. I was a little of both. It was a big game. I went into it yesterday knowing it was, all week, actually. When you come in somebody else’s house, you have the fans, you have them, you have a great team you’re going up against that can hit the ball, and you walk the first guy, and you’re overthrowing. I knew I was overthrowing, but I wasn’t going to think about it. When you think about it, that’s when it goes more south. <br>
It was a little bit of both. Once that first inning was over after Curtis saved me, I was able to take a breath, and then our offense took over.</p>
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<p>— Full transcripts at <a href="http://www.asapsports.com/show_event.php?category=2&date=2011-10-4&title=AL+DIVISION+SERIES%3A+TIGERS+v+YANKEES" target="new"><span class="caps">ASAP</span> Sports</a></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/10/5/2470600/yankees-tigers-alds-game-4-post-game-reactions-curtis-granderson-joe-girardi-jim-leylandEd Valentine2011-10-05T00:01:24-04:002011-10-05T00:01:24-04:00Yankees-Tigers Score: New York Stays Alive In ALDS, 10-1
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<p>The New York Yankees staved off elimination Tuesday night with a 10-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of their American League Division Series at Comerica Park in Detroit. Game 5 will be held at Yankee Stadium Thursday (8 p.m. ET/TBS).</p>
<p>The Yankee offense showed up just in time. So did center fielder <span>Curtis Granderson's</span> glove.</p>
<p>The Yankees got 13 hits, breaking open a 4-1 game with a six-run eighth inning. <span>Brett Gardner</span> had two hits and two RBI for New York, and <span>Russell Martin</span>, <span>Alex Rodriguez</span> and <span>Jesus Montero</span> each had two hits, <span>Derek Jeter</span> drove in two runs with a third-inning double.</p>
<p>Granderson's glove helped make the offensive outburst possible. With an unsettled <span>A.J. Burnett</span> having walked the bases full in the first inning, Granderson made a lunging catch of a <span>Don Kelly</span> line drive that would have cleared the bases and possibly been an inside the park home run, ending the first inning. Burnett ended up getting the win, going 5.2 innings and giving up just one run on four hits and four walks. </p>
<p>Granderson also ended the bottom of the sixth inning with another spectacular catch. After Kelly singled to chase Burnett, <span>Rafael Soriano</span> entered the game. <span>Jhonny Peralta</span> lifted Soriano's first pitch left-center field and Granderson tracked it down, using a head-long dive to catch the ball and end the inning.</p>
<p>Jeter gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead in the third inning. With <span>Jorge Posada</span> on second and Martin on first Jeter drove a <span>Rick Porcello</span> pitch just over the head of center fielder <span>Austin Jackson</span>. Posada scored easily and Martin barely beat the relay home.</p>
<p><span>Victor Martinez</span> homered in the fourth inning for Detroit, making the score 2-1. In the fifth inning, the Yankees extended their lead to 4-1 on an RBI double by Granderson and a sacrifice fly by Rodriguez.</p>
<p>The Yankees will pitch Game 1 winner <span>Ivan Nova</span> on Thursday, while Detroit will counter with <span>Doug Fister</span>. Those were the two pitchers who came on when the suspended Game 1 of the series was resumed on Saturday. </p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 10.4.2011 </span> </th> <th> 1 </th> <th> 2 </th> <th> 3 </th> <th> 4 </th> <th> 5 </th> <th> 6 </th> <th> 7 </th> <th> 8 </th> <th> 9 </th> <th>R</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a> </span></td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/10/5/2470256/yankees-tigers-score-new-york-stays-alive-in-alds-10-1Ed Valentine2011-10-04T10:33:08-04:002011-10-04T10:33:08-04:00MLB Playoff Schedule: Yankees Vs. Tigers ALDS Game 4 Preview
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<p>The New York Yankees are in a very uncomfortable position entering Game 4 of their American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday night (8:30 p.m. ET, TBS). The <a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/10/3/2466490/mlb-playoffs-schedule-yankees-vs-tigers-alds-game-3-tv-information-justin-verlander-cc-sabathia">Yankees trail 2-1 after Monday's difficult 5-4 loss</a>, and face elimination from the best-of-five series while being forced to turn to a starting pitcher they desperately did not want to have to use in this series.</p>
<p>The Yankees hand the ball to the inconsistent, enigmatic A.J. Burnett (11-11, 5.15 ERA) Tuesday night. Burnett was not scheduled to start a game in the ALDS, but the suspension of Friday's Game 1 forced Yankee manager Joe Girardi to hand the ball to the 34-year-old Burnett for a game that could end the Yankees' season.</p>
<p>Doing what he has to do, Girardi expressed confidence in the unpredictable right-hander.</p>
<p>"I feel good about what A.J. is going to do for us tomorrow," Girardi said.</p>
<p>Truthfully, though, you have to wonder what Girardi really thinks heading into an elimination game with a pitcher who has proven untrustworthy over two straight rocky seasons. </p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/9/30/2459956/yankees-vs-tigers-alds-game-1-cc-sabathia-justin-verlander"><b>Game 1</b>: Cano slam lead Yankees</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/10/2/2463611/yankees-tigers-alds-game-2-mlb-playoffs-schedule-tv-information-freddy-garcia-max-scherzer"><b>Game 2: </b>Scherzer, Tigers get even</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-yankees/2011/10/3/2466490/mlb-playoffs-schedule-yankees-vs-tigers-alds-game-3-tv-information-justin-verlander-cc-sabathia"><b>Game 3: </b>Tigers edge Yankees, lead series 2-1</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/section/yankees-vs-tigers-alds-2011">Complete Yankees-Tigers coverage</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com">Complete playoff coverage</a></p>
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<p>Burnett knows there are those who think the Yankees are in a lot of trouble with him pitching such a crucial game.</p>
<p>"I've been proving people wrong my whole career, it seems like. People are entitled to their opinion. Obviously I give them reasons here and there to doubt," Burnett said. "The bottom line is I have confidence in myself. My teammates have confidence in me, my staff. To go out and -- I'm not going to go out and try to prove anything. I'm going to go out and try to win a ballgame."</p>
<p>Burnett seemingly bristled at the notion that has has to "make up" for his regular-season performance.</p>
<p>"I look at it as a chance to get my team a win tomorrow, a very big one. I had good games, bad games during the season. You can say the same thing about the postseason, but you can't count me out. I'm going to bring everything I've got. And just let A.J. loose out there," Burnett said.</p>
<p>Relying on Burnett is not the Yankees' only concern. The Yankees' 4-5-6 hitters, Alex Rodriguez (0-for-10), Mark Teixeira (1-for-11) and Nick Swisher (2-for-11) are a combined 3-for-32 (.093) with just three RBI thus far in the series. </p>
<p>The Tigers will pitch right-hander Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.75 ERA) on Tuesday night. </p>
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<h4>Tigers lead the series 2-1</h4>
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<td class="td-first">Sat 10/01</td>
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WP: Ivan Nova (1 - 0) <br> LP: Doug Fister (0 - 1) <br>
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<td class="td-last"><span>9 - 3 win</span></td>
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<td class="td-first">Sun 10/02</td>
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WP: Max Scherzer (1 - 0) <br> LP: Freddy Garcia (0 - 1) <br>
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<td class="td-last"><span>3 - 5 loss</span></td>
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WP: Justin Verlander (1 - 0) <br> SV: Jose Valverde <br> LP: Rafael Soriano (0 - 1) <br>
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<p class="game-info"><span>Tuesday, Oct 4, 2011, 8:35 PM EDT</span><br> Comerica Park</p>
<p class="pitchers"><span>A.J. Burnett</span> vs <span>Rick Porcello</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/10/4/2468293/mlb-playoff-schedule-yankees-vs-tigers-alds-game-4-tv-informationEd Valentine