Phil Hughes (5-5) threw the Yankees' first nine-inning complete game of the year, allowing just four hits and one run on Sunday to beat Justin Verlander and the Tigers 5-1 at Comerica Park.
Don't blame the pitching. Don't blame Joe Girardi for his strange pitching moves. The Yankees were eliminated from the post season on Thursday because they failed to deliver with runners in scoring position. Detroit's 3-2 victory means they're heading for Game 1 of the ALCS and the Yankees are going home.
Led by a solid performance from starter A.J. Burnett, the Yankees mashed the Tigers 10-1 on Tuesday to force a decisive Game 5 Thursday night in New York.
Tiger's ace Justin Verlander hurled eight strong innings to lead Detroit to a 5-4 win on Monday night and give his team a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-five American League Division Series.