ALDS: Orioles complete three game sweep of Tigers

The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Detroit Tigers in game three of the American League Division Series on Sunday by the score of 2-1. The Orioles completed a three game sweep in which they faced three former Cy Young Award winners in Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and David Price, making them only the fourth team in history to do so in a postseason series win.

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The previous three times all came against the fearsome 1990’s Atlanta Braves rotation of Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz in 1997, 1998 and 1999.  In this series Scherzer took the loss in game one, Price in game three and Verlander ended up with a no-decision in game two.

Today’s victory wasn’t a high scoring one like the Orioles’ previous two wins in which they got to the Tiger’s bullpen late, winning game one by a score of 12-3 and game two with a late inning comeback winning 7-6.

In the grittier game three Detroit didn’t need their bullpen, much. David Price pitched eight solid innings followed by Joe Nathan who pitched a scoreless ninth. Yet, Price was no match for the bat of Nelson Cruz.

Price allowed just five hits one of which was a single off the bat of

in the top of the sixth inning. The next batter? Cruz. Cruz took Price deep for a two-run shot that ended up being all the offense the Orioles needed.

Orioles’ starter Bud Norris got the win on the day pitching into the seventh, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out six. He was replaced by Andrew Miller who pitched a scoreless 1.2 innings and then gave way to Orioles closer Zach Britton for the ninth.

Britton uncharacteristically allowed two more hits and the Tigers lone run. Britton gave up back to back doubles to Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez, with latter Martinez being credited with the RBI.

A controversial review play in the second inning proved to be the Tigers demise. With catcher Alex Avila on third and two outs, the Tigers’ Andrew Romine laid down a bunt that was flawless scooped up into the glove of Jonathan Schoop who tossed the ball in one fluid motion to first baseman Steve Pearce.

Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) flips the ball to first baseman Steve Pearce (28) for the force out on Detroit Tigers shortstop Andrew Romine (27) (not pictured) during the second inning in game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Romine appeared to beat the throw but was called out. The play was challenged by Tiger’s manager Brad Ausmus, but there wasn’t sufficient evidence that the ball was not completely in Pearce’s glove when Romine’s foot crossed the plate and the ruling on the field stood. Romine was out, Avila didn’t score and the inning was over for Detroit.

That extra run would have sent the game into extra innings thus possibly changing the course of baseball history. However, it is now history that the Orioles swept the Tigers and their three Cy Young aces in the 2014 ALDS.

The Orioles will now move on to play either the Kansas City Royals or the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 2014 American League Division Series that is set to begin October 10.