The Tigers opened up their four-game series with Los Angeles with a bang on Monday night, as Detroit hitters recorded 11 hits against Angels pitchers to pick up an impressive 8-6 victory.
Now just 2.5 games out of 1st place in the American League Central, Jim Leyland's team received its biggest contributions from budding outfielders Quintin Berry and Brennan Boesch in the pivotal win. Berry, who raised his average to .297 on the year with a 3-for-5 performance, stole his 13th and 14th bases of the season in consecutive fashion in the 7th inning to key a Detroit rally, and was the unquestioned MVP by game's end.
Shortly after his teammate Berry was done using his blazing speed to manufacture a game-tying run earlier in the inning, it was Boesch who stepped to the plate and smacked a two-run shot to right field that gave the Tigers a 7-5 lead. Not even a 4-for-5 night from former Tigers foe Torii Hunter or the constant threat of Angels superstars Albert Pujols and Mike Trout could spoil Detroit's offensive outburst in the end.
Inconsistent reliever Octavio Dotel picked up a hollow, albeit momentum-building victory with just eight pitches, while closer Jose Valverde wrapped up a moderately-clean ninth inning for his 17th save. Hoping to keep things going in game two, all eyes will be on Detroit super prospect Jacob Turner on the mound in Tuesday's game.
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