OAKLAND, Calif. — Just like in 2012, Justin Verlander dominated the A’s and Detroit defeated Oakland in Game 5 of the ALDS to advance to the 2013 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.
Verlander, who threw a complete game shutout in Game 5 of the 2012 ALDS in Oakland, dominated the A’s again. Verlander threw eight shutout innings this time and struck out 10. Verlander didn’t allow a runner on base until the sixth inning and didn’t give up a hit until the seventh.
Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead. The Tigers went up 3-0 in the sixth when Victor Martinez scored off a fielder’s choice hit by Omar Infante.
Joaquin Benoit brought the tying run to the plate in the 9th, but Seth Smith to fly out to right to end the game.
