HBT: There's something special about these A's

There?s something special about these Athletics.

That became apparent throughout the 2012 regular season, and it continued on Wednesday night at Oakland?s O.Co Coliseum with the unlikely American League West champions facing?elimination from the ALDS in front of a raucous sold-out home crowd.

Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer surrendered just three hits and one (unearned) run over 5 1/3 innings, fanning eight batters while giving up only one walk. And a foursome of Detroit relievers behind him would keep the A?s scoreless until the bottom of the ninth. That?s when it all shifted back toward the magical, mystical A?s.

Tigers closer Jose Valverde allowed a Josh Reddick leadoff single and a Josh Donaldson double, then Seth Smith shot a ball into the gap in right field to score them both. Valverde rallied back for two consecutive outs, but Coco Crisp smacked a ball into shallow right that plated Smith for the winning run.

Oakland wound up on top, 4-3, forcing a winner-take-all Game 5 to be played on Thursday night.

It will be Tigers ace Justin Verlander against A?s youngster Jarrod Parker. The matchup surely favors Detroit on paper, but you?d be foolish to think that matters at all at this point. Game on.

Source: http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/11/as-rally-for-three-runs-in-the-ninth-alds-moves-to-game-5/related

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