---Red Sox Win Game 5, 4-3--- Here's what took place
The MLB Playoff Standings are only getting better after Game 4 of the ALCS and Game 5 of the NLCS. In the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers stayed alive as their offense woke up, both teams combined to score 10 runs. Over in the American League, the Detroit Tigers hacked away, tying the series 2-2, now giving themselves a chance to win it all as they will have three great pitchers on the mound the rest of the series.
Here are the MLB Playoff Standings with scores and results of both League Championship Series.
Dodgers Drill Cardinals
The Dodgers ensured there would be baseball this weekend after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 of the series. The final score was surprising after both offenses scored more than three runs. After going without any home runs in the entire series, the Dodgers smacked the Cardinal pitchers around, hitting four home runs in Game 5, winning 6-4.
Adrian Gonzalez went 3-4 with two runs scored, two RBI and two home runs. His home runs were the difference as the Dodgers barely held on to a 6-2 lead in the final innings. Before getting to that dramatic end, let's continue talking about the Dodgers power surge.
Carl Crawford showed some of the pop from the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves, hitting a home run in the bottom of the fifth, extending the Dodger lead, 4-2. Then A.J Ellis continued his hot hitting, popping his first career postseason home run in the bottom of the seventh to make it 5-2. Finally, the last run was also a solo shot as Gonzalez hit his second of the game in the bottom of the eighth to give closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth.
The Cardinals struck with two runs in the ninth as the pounded consecutive hits off the Dodgers' closer. However, he stopped the bleeding by striking out Adron Chambers to end the game.
St. Louis will go to Busch Stadium thinking "What if?"
In the first inning, they had a chance to break the game open as they loaded the bases with no outs. Zack Greinke was out of control, but he stepped out of the jam unharmed. He struck out Matt Adams and Yadier Molina grounded out into the inning ending double play.
Greinke went seven innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits, while striking out four. His opponent, Joe Kelly did not have it in Game 3. He gave up four earned runs over five innings pitched, taking the loss. Greinke finally earned his first victory in the postseason after pitching his third consecutive game of two-run baseball.
Tigers Shuffle Sparks Offense
That is correct. The Tigers danced on Wednesday; around the bases as they defeated the Red Sox, scoring runs early and often.
A.J. Pierzynski complained in the pregame show; Why did Tigers' manager, Jim Leyland, switch his lineup around if they won with the same lineup all year long? Well, the Tigers answered that question as they pounded the Red Sox and Jake Peavy for seven runs in Game 4.
Pierzynski, a FOX analyst during the postseason and MLB catcher, was referencing the following changes; Torii Hunter leading off, Miguel Cabrera hitting second and centerfielder Austin Jackson hitting eighth. The results were astounding. Hunter went 1-5, but that hit was a double that brought in two runs, Cabrera went 2-2 with two RBI and Jackson went 2-2 with a run scored and two RBI as well, getting on base every all four times he was at-bat.
Tigers hitting once again pounded runs after scoring five on Sunday in Game 2. This time, however, they held on to the lead. Their relievers were a bit shaky, but the best arm was Dough Fister's as the starter went six innings, allowing one earned run on eight hits, recording seven strikeouts.
While Peavy struggled, lasting only three innings while giving up seven runs on five hits and three walks, the bullpen held it together, pitching five innings of scoreless baseball. The Red Sox's defense betrayed Peavy, though there was no error charged to Dustin Pedroia on a booted double-play attempted in the five-run bottom of the second.
The Red Sox had their opportunities to tie, but they could not string together timely hits. The Red Sox combined for 12 hits in Game 4 with Jacoby Ellsbury going 4-5, scoring only one run. He is the only consistent Red Sox starter to hit over .300, posting a .333 batting average after the first four games of the series.
Here's a look at the MLB Playoff Standings after Wednesday's games.
MLB Playoff Standings: Series Records
Dodgers 2
Cardinals 3
Tigers 2
Red Sox 2
The Dodgers and Cardinals are off on Thursday. Game 6 is on Friday.
The Tigers and Red Sox stay in Comerica Park, playing Game 5 on Thursday.
