Detroit's animated closer Jose Valverde, or Papa Grande as he's known to Tigers fans, went head-to-head with Red Sox heavy-hitter David Ortiz, who is known as Big Papi in Beantown.
Down 6-1, Ortiz cut Boston's five-run deficit with one swing with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning. Detroit was desperately clinging to its 6-5 lead, and Tigers fans around the country collectively sighed.
But Tigers manager Jim Leyland didn't pull Valverde, who has 22 saves and 50 strikeouts this season. Leyland let Valverde work himself out his his Todd Jones roller coaster-esque moment.
And it proved to be the smart move, but it wasn't pretty by any means.
The bags were full again in the ninth, this time for Boston's 15-year veteran center fielder Mike Cameron.
Cameron found himself in a favorable 3-1 count with two outs, and was swinging for ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - MLB By adam biggers