Tuesday night, the Yankees took a monumental risk in starting 80 million dollar man AJ Burnett. Burnett had struggled during the season and has struggled on the road in the playoffs throughout his career. Nobody would have known after watching game 4. Burnett pitched a great game going 5 and 2/3 innings pitched and only giving up one run and getting the victory as the Yankees manhandled the Tigers in Detroit 10-1.
AJ Burnett won the one game he needed to forget any of what he has done in the past. Burnett gave up just one run walked four and struck out three and only allowed four hits. It was not dominant, but it was just what the Yankees needed to force a game five. Burnett has outfielder Curtis Granderson to thank as Granderson saved three runs from scoring in the first. With the bases loaded, Don Kelly hit a line drive to center field and Granderson made an unbelievable leaping catch. He would make another catch later in the game that would save some runs from scoring as well.
The Yankees banged out 13 hits and 10 runs showing what they do best. Their offense is what carries them as that was clearly seen Tuesday night. They strung together a lot of timely base hits driving in runs as they would cap it off with a 6 run 8th inning that would make the game out of reach. They knew what they needed to do and the Yankees did just that. They forced a game five.
Game five will be Thursday night as Doug Fister faces Ivan Nova at Yankee Stadium. Nova pitched a masterful game one beating Fister as he hopes to do again in front of the home crowd. The Tigers will have a second chance to send the Yankees home packing. Can the Tigers finally beat the Yankees in the playoffs? Can they stop the powerful lineup of the Bronx Bombers? Thursday night at 8:00, we will get the answer.
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