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| Delmon Young had a night to remember in Game 1 of the ALCS. (Getty Images) |
NEW YORK -- With Hiroki Kuroda slated to go on short rest in Game 2 and Justin Verlander slated to pitch on full rest in Game 4 and, if necessary Game 7, the Yankees needed to win the ALCS opener. But, despite another late inning miracle from Raul Ibanez, they came up short ...
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Hero: Delmon Young as a hero? On a night when Raul Ibanez did what he does? Yes, the generally unproductive Tiger DH stepped up in a big way on Saturday, as he went 3-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored. He was also a triple shy of the cycle (don't laugh, he hit a triple this season) and notched just his fourth three-hit game of the season. Most importantly, it was his 12-inning double that plated the go-ahead run.
Goat(s): The Yankees after Ibanez's game-tying homer. Did Ibanez's latest clutch bomb do more harm than good? The Yankees chewed up more of their bullpen in a stretch that will see them play five games in five days and a stretch that has already seen them play 45 1/2 innings over the last four games. Oh, and Derek Jeter stuck around long enough to sustain a serious injury. Ibanez's blast was an incredible moment, but, in the cold realities of hindsight, the Yankees would've been better off just losing it in nine innings.
Turning point: You got a palpable feeling in the Stadium when David Phelps walked Miguel Cabrera to start the 12th. It seemed a matter of time at that point. And it was.
It was over when: It was almost over when Young doubled home the go-ahead tally. It was really over when Andy Dirks singled home Young's pinch-runner, Don Kelly, to make it a two-run contest.
Next: Game 2, back in the Bronx, goes down Sunday at 4:00 pm ET.
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