BOSTON STRONG -
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
 2013 ALCS, GAME #1
The Tigers one hit the Sox

October 12, 2013 ... The Red Sox are a dangerous foe for the Detroit Tigers, because they can score runs in so many different ways. The Tigers met their challenge to open the American League Championship Series by daring them to score without a hit.

The Red Sox came close to doing it, loading the bases on walks in the sixth and essentially forcing Anibal Sanchez out of the game after using his 116th pitch of the night to end the threat. The Tigers came close to history, falling two outs shy of the first combined no-hitter (and the third of any kind) in postseason play.  Detroit starter Anibal Sanchez and four relievers struck out 17 Sox, tying a major league postseason record. Sanchez struck out 12 and did not allow a hit over six innings, but also walked six and left after 116 pitches.

But there was no magic for the Red Sox at Fenway Park, just the frustration of a 1-0 loss to the Tigers that has Boston trailing in a postseason series for the first time this October.  Daniel Nava prevented the Sox from being on the wrong side of history when he lined a single up the middle with one out in the bottom of the ninth.  With two outs, pinch-runner Quintin Berry stole second. Top prospect Xander Bogaerts could have tied the game with a single against Tigers closer Joaquin Benoit.  Instead, he popped to short on a 3-2 pitch to end a memorable contest.

The Red Sox, perhaps the best lineup in the AL this season, were rendered punchless in this one by Anibal Sanchez (six innings, 12 K's, six walks) and Detroit's bullpen. Boston struck out 17 times, tying a postseason record set by the 1968 Tigers and also tied by the '98 Astros.

The Tigers nearly padded their lead in the top of the ninth, putting runners at second and third with one out against Koji Uehara. But after Don Kelly struck out, Sox shortstop Stephen Drew ranged into center field and made a tremendous over-the-shoulder catch on a Prince Fielder popup.

The last time a no-hitter was broken up in the ninth inning of a postseason game was when the Dodgers did it against the Yankees in the 1947 World Series. Brooklyn actually came back to win that game, 3-2, despite having just one hit in the contest.

The Tigers had the first successful rally by either team, and it didn't come until the top of the sixth. Miguel Cabrera got things started with a one-out walk against Jon Lester. Fielder was hit by a pitch. When Victor Martinez rolled one to short, the Sox hoped to get an inning-ending double play.  But the slow-footed DH narrowly beat Pedroia's throw to first, keeping the inning alive.  That became big when Jhonny Peralta looped in a single to left, scoring Cabrera.

By the bottom of the seventh, the Red Sox were more concerned about finding some way to get a baserunner than they were about being no-hit.  Ellsbury thought he walked with two outs on a 3-1 pitch that appeared to be low, but home-plate umpire Joe West called it a strike. 

Ellsbury wound up striking out on the next pitch, riling up the Fenway faithful.  Jon Lester deserved a better fate, scattering six hits and a run over 6 1/3 innings. The southpaw walked one and struck out four, but he took the tough-luck loss.

The Sox loaded the bases with walks in the bottom of the sixth, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland stuck with Sanchez. He was rewarded when the righty struck out Drew to escape. As Sanchez walked off the mound following six innings of no-hit ball, he stopped for a moment and gave a wild fist pump. His night was complete.  Unfortunately for the Red Sox, that was the theme of the night. 

The Sox put the ball in play just 10 times, and five of those were ground balls. The last time they were shutout at Fenway in the postseason was 1918.  It was the sixth time the Sox were shutout in a postseason game.

Nomar Garciaparra threw out the first pitch to Jarrod Saltalamacchia.  Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell, who helped triage patients at the finish line and at Boston Medical Center after the Marathon bombings, sang the national anthem.  The Sox handed out red towels with the "B Strong" logo to fans entering the park.  Former Red Sox infielder Jose Iglesias received a cheer from the crowd when he was introduced with the Tigers before the game.

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