via tbs.com
Behind slugging outfielder Nelson Cruz, the Baltimore Orioles and their fans find themselves in the driver's seat after Game 1 of the American League Division Series.
The Baltimore Orioles made mincemeat of the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of their best-of-five series tonight at Camden Yards, knocking around the Tigers' bullpen and making the most of their home-field advantage.
Tigers starter Max Scherzer went 7 1/3 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits. The Tigers were still in the game, trailing 4-3 in the eighth, when the bottom fell out. Detroit's bullpen didn't do Scherzer any favors, surrendering seven runs on five hits in relief.
Joba Chamberlain, Joakim Soria (108.0 ERA), and Phil Coke could not hold the Orioles in check, and the Tigers' bats fell silent in the late innings. Meanwhile, reliever Anibal Sanchez went unused and now the Tigers find themselves in a big hole heading into Game 2.
Manager Brad Ausmus and the Tigers turn to Justin Verlander to even the series tomorrow in Baltimore. First pitch is at noon ET. Verlander (15-12, 4.54) is set to face Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen (16-6, 3.54).
Baltimore leads the best-of-five series, 1-0.
