Tigers draw level, Dodgers edge Cardinals
A five-run blitz has led the Detroit Tigers to a 7-3 win over the Boston Red Sox in game four of the American League Championship Series (ALCS).
Torii Hunter's two-run double was the pick of the hits in the second inning as Detroit built a 5-0 lead, while Tigers centre-fielder Austin Jackson finished with a run, two hits and two RBIs from two at-bats, as his team levelled the ALCS at 2-2 in MLB.
Detroit added two more runs in the fourth inning to lead 7-0 and although Boston reduced the deficit in the last four innings, the Tigers held on for victory at home.
Jackson earned a walk in the second inning to help the Tigers open the scoring as Victor Martinez walked across home plate.
Hits from Jose Iglesias, Hunter and Miguel Cabrera saw Detroit move five runs clear by the end of the second inning.
In the fourth inning, Jackson's hit sent Omar Infante home, while Cabrera's single soon after ensured Detroit's centre-fielder scored himself.
Detroit will also host game five of the ALCS on Thursday as they attempt to regain the series lead after trailing 2-1.
In the National League Championship Series (NLCS), four home runs from the third to the eighth inning saw the Los Angeles Dodgers trump the St Louis Cardinals 6-4.
LA had not cleared the fence in the opening four NLCS games but once Adrian Gonzalez broke that drought in the third inning at Dodger Stadium, the home side did not look back.
Carl Crawford hit another solo homer in the fifth inning and his effort was matched by AJ Ellis in the seventh, before Gonzalez again went long in the eighth to give the Dodgers a 6-2 lead.
While St Louis scored twice in the ninth inning, the Cardinals were unable to reel in the Dodgers and clinch the NLCS.
The Cardinals still lead the NLCS at 3-2 and LA must win away on Thursday to keep the series alive.
Torii Hunter's two-run double was the pick of the hits in the second inning as Detroit built a 5-0 lead, while Tigers centre-fielder Austin Jackson finished with a run, two hits and two RBIs from two at-bats, as his team levelled the ALCS at 2-2 in MLB.
Detroit added two more runs in the fourth inning to lead 7-0 and although Boston reduced the deficit in the last four innings, the Tigers held on for victory at home.
Jackson earned a walk in the second inning to help the Tigers open the scoring as Victor Martinez walked across home plate.
Hits from Jose Iglesias, Hunter and Miguel Cabrera saw Detroit move five runs clear by the end of the second inning.
In the fourth inning, Jackson's hit sent Omar Infante home, while Cabrera's single soon after ensured Detroit's centre-fielder scored himself.
Detroit will also host game five of the ALCS on Thursday as they attempt to regain the series lead after trailing 2-1.
In the National League Championship Series (NLCS), four home runs from the third to the eighth inning saw the Los Angeles Dodgers trump the St Louis Cardinals 6-4.
LA had not cleared the fence in the opening four NLCS games but once Adrian Gonzalez broke that drought in the third inning at Dodger Stadium, the home side did not look back.
Carl Crawford hit another solo homer in the fifth inning and his effort was matched by AJ Ellis in the seventh, before Gonzalez again went long in the eighth to give the Dodgers a 6-2 lead.
While St Louis scored twice in the ninth inning, the Cardinals were unable to reel in the Dodgers and clinch the NLCS.
The Cardinals still lead the NLCS at 3-2 and LA must win away on Thursday to keep the series alive.
Comments