推 leojang:多看看對手的觀點也不賴！！ 10/04 15:14
Bob Wojnowski
N.Y. BLUES
Tigers fight but fall to Yankees, 8-4
NEW YORK -- This is where the Tigers wanted to be, back in the playoffs, back
in the hazy autumn glare. But upon reflection, this is not exactly where they
wanted to be, playing the Yankees on baseball's most-hallowed patch of grass,
hit by a slugging slice of harsh reality.
The Tigers weren't awestruck, or even starstruck. They were merely and
squarely struck by a classic Yankees explosion, the kind that makes many
think this series should be a simple, straightforward New York stroll.
The Yankees were straightforward, no doubt, although the Tigers didn't go
simply. New York's 8-4 victory Tuesday in Game 1 of the Divisional Series at
Yankee Stadium showed both sides of the argument -- how powerful the Yankees
are, and how scrappy the Tigers can be.
The game came with a warning, delivered in the midst of six straight New York
hits in a five-run third inning -- don't try to outslug the big boys. Yankees
captain Derek Jeter had five hits, earning a rousing curtain call from the
crowd.
Making the franchise's first postseason appearance in 19 years, the Tigers
clearly are outmanned. Their only hope is not to be outpitched or
outmaneuvered. They had their chances, and will get a few more. Game 2 is
tonight; they're advised not to waste them.
"I thought we swung the bats halfway decent," manager Jim Leyland said. "We
obviously don't have the lineup the Yankees have, that's not a secret. We're
dangerous from top to bottom but we don't have that big thump in the middle.
We kept battling back and we did get back in the game. We gave ourselves a
shot."
Power ball
The difference in the star power of the lineups is almost unfair. But playoff
baseball is a strange exercise, rife with upsets, ripe with possibilities. If
the Tigers plan to pull one off, they'll need better pitching than they got
out of starter Nate Robertson, who discovered what many have.
For those unaccustomed to watching the Yankees, this is how it often works:
Quiet, quiet, quiet, BANG. Game over.
The big bang came in the third inning, hit after hit after hit after hit
after hit after hit, six in a row, with Bobby Abreu clubbing a two-run double
and Jason Giambi slamming a two-run home run.
This had nothing to do with baseball's heaviest history smothering the
Tigers. This had everything to do with baseball's heaviest lineup rocking the
Tigers.
Detroit erased much of that 5-0 deficit with three runs in the fifth inning,
sparked by Craig Monroe's home run. Monroe is the type of player the Tigers
lean on -- someone who persevered, waiting for his chance.
Hate to say it, but the Yankees and their $200 million payroll don't waste
time with guys like that. That's why Leyland has the toughest task, and he
knows it. Before the game, he chuckled that people were billing the matchup
as "the Yankees' varsity scrimmaging the freshman team."
Then, Leyland unveiled some unorthodox, questionable strategy. He knew he'd
spawn second-guessers by calling a hit-and-run in the second inning, and it
blew apart a rally. Magglio Ordonez was thrown out at third as Pudge
Rodriguez swung and missed.
In two consecutive innings, with the game scoreless, the Tigers squandered
multiple base-runners.
We know what Leyland was thinking, that he has to try more to keep up with
the Yankees, but he showed odd early desperation.
The Tigers actually kept hitting and clawing back, and if you're looking for
encouragement, there it is. That, and rookie Justin Verlander pitches
tonight.
"They've got nine guys that are really good," Robertson said. "Bottom line
is, we just need to come out with a split. The guys were enjoying the moment
more than they were intimidated by it."
Different worlds
It would be easy to get intimidated. This is two worlds colliding, the first
time these franchises have met in the playoffs.
The Tigers, with 18 of their 25 players in the postseason for the first time,
could be excused if they were intrepid.
The Yankees, with a record 26 world championships, could be excused if they
were haughty.
This was the Yankees against the Tigers, but to many in New York, it was more
like the Yankees against Unnamed Opponent. Among the debates raging here
before the series began:
Wouldn't it be great if the Yankees and Mets played in the World Series?
Do the Yankees have the best lineup ever?
Really, do they?
The Tigers noticed. How could they not? Even in Detroit, it's not like fans
and media were lining up to tout the Tigers' chances.
That's understandable, and still a little strange.
After all, just a couple of months ago the Tigers had the best record in
baseball. Even after their 19-31 closing slumber, they finished with 95
victories, two fewer than the Yankees.
But in the 10 days since they celebrated the franchise's first playoff berth
since 1987, everything had turned.
Suddenly, the Tigers had to rebuild their psyche in time to face a New York
lineup that led the majors in runs, hits, gaudy contracts and gigantic
names.
The Yankees are making their 12th consecutive playoff appearance, and if they
don't win the World Series, the season is an incomprehensible disaster.
No team knows incomprehensible disaster like the Tigers, who lost 119 games
three seasons ago. Their recovery is astounding, but they came here with
their glow not quite as warm, and their story not quite as fuzzy.
The Tigers lost their edge after clinching the wild card, and this is one
tough place to find it.
You could argue it was the worst possible place.
Then again, nothing in baseball can motivate -- and stagger -- a team like
playing the Yankees.
"You talk about baseball, the first name that comes to mind is New York,"
Monroe said. "It's excitement and nervousness and everything. Playing in New
York, you've got to get over the hype."
The Tigers got over the hype. They collected 12 hits, so we figure they got
over the nerves.
The real task? Someone on that pitching staff has to get over the Yankees
lineup.
We'll say it again, with more feeling after more evidence: Good luck finding
a way.
You can reach Bob Wojnowski at bob.wojnowski@detnews.com.
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