Athletics vs. Tigers ALDS 2012: Detroit, Justin Verlander take Game 1

Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander struck out 11 batters over seven innings, leading the Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

Things actually started poorly for Verlander, as he gave up a lead-off home run to Athletics outfielder Coco Crisp. But Verlander would settle down after that, giving up only two more hits in his seven innings of work. He did have some issues with his command, but he was able to pitch around four walks.

Detroit quickly answered after the Crisp home run, tying the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the first. The Tigers had an opportunity to have a huge first inning when Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and nobody out, but they managed just the one run after Cabrera grounded into a double play.

Detroit took the lead for good in the fifth inning when Omar Infante scored on an error by Athletics starting pitcher Jarrod Parker. Tigers catcher Alex Avila added an insurance run later in the inning on a home run.

Verlander was relieved by Joaquin Benoit, who nearly gave up Detroit's lead in the eighth inning when Brandon Moss flew out to the warning track with a man on. Tigers closer Jose Valverde shut the door with a perfect ninth inning.

Game 2 of the series is in Detroit on Sunday at 12:07 p.m. ET.

Alex Avila home run extends Tigers lead

A fifth inning solo blast by Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila off Oakland Athletics starter Jarrod Parker extended the Tigers' lead to 3-1 over the A's in Game 1 of their American League Division Series. The score remains 3-1 in the eighth inning.

Justin Verlander struck out 11 A's in seven innings of work for the Tigers. Verlander was relieved by Joaquin Benoit, who almost gave up a game-trying home run to Brandon Moss.

Coco Crisp leads off ALDS with home run

It didn't take long for the A's to get a feeling for what Justin Verlander was doing on Saturday. Three of the first four pitches Verlander threw were fastballs, the last of which was deposited in the right-field seats by Coco Crisp:

The Tigers ace settled down to retire the next three batters, but it's 1-0 Oakland heading into Detroit's first turn at bat.

Tigers vs. Athletics ALDS Game 1 lineups

The Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics are set to start their American League Divisional Series on Saturday. Throughout the second half of the season, the A's were one of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball, though many consider them to be underdogs to the Tigers, who boast some very strong hitting headlined by Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera at third base.

Justin Verlander will make the start for Detroit, and he's as good a pitcher as you'll get to lead you off in the playoffs. Oakland is sending out Jarrod Parker, who is less-heralded than Verlander but has had a very, very solid couple of months. Together, Verlander and Parker combined for 30 wins on the season.

The game is set for 6:07 p.m. ET and will be televised on TBS. Below, we've got the full lineups for both teams in advance of first pitch.

Tigers Lineups

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Quintin Berry LF
3. Miguel Cabrera 3B
4. Prince Fielder 1B
5. Delmon Young DH
6. Andy Dirks RF
7. Jhonny Peralta SS
8. Alex Avila C
9. Omar Infante 2B

Athletics

1. Coco Crisp CF
2. Stephen Drew SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes LF
4. Brandon Moss 1B
5. Josh Reddick RF
6. Josh Donaldson 3B
7. Seth Smith DH
8. Derek Norris C
9. Cliff Pennington 2B

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