Tigers Overcome Ibanez Two-Run Blast in Ninth to Win Game 1 of ALCS

Ibanez hit his third home run of the postseason to tie the game in the ninth

The Detroit Tigers handed a 4-0 lead to closer Jose Valverde. Tigers starter Doug Fister pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, and Young had two RBIs including a home run. Prince Fielder had two hits and an RBI.

However it would not be enough. The Yankees struck for four runs in the bottom of the ninth.

After Russell Martin singled and took second base on defensive indifference, Derek Jeter struck out and Ichiro Suzuki hit a two run home run to cut the deficit in half, 4-2. After Robinson Cano struck out, Mark Teixeira walked and Raul Ibanez hit a home run into the right-field stands that tied the game 4-4.

It was the third home run of the postseason for Ibanez. He hit a tying homer in the ninth inning and a game-winning shot as the Yankees rallied to beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.

The Yankees offense had been listless until the ninth inning, but a solid start by Andy Pettitte kept the game within reach for New York.

The game would stay tied until the 12th inning. Delmon Young doubled to right field to score Miguel Cabrera who led off inning with a walk . Cabrera had advanced to second base on a groundout by Fielder. Jhonny Peralta then reached on infield single and pinch runner Don Kelly advanced to third.

Andy Dirks reached on infield single and Kelly scored and the Tigers led 6-4. Young finished the night 3 for 6 with three RBI and a run scored.  Peralta had three hits for the Tigers as well. Drew Smyly pitched the final two innings for the win for Detroit.  Game two will be played Sunday with Anibal Sanchez pitching for the Tigers and Hiroki Kuroda starting for New York