Boston holds off Detroit 1-0 to take 2-1 lead in AL championship

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

photo Boston Red Sox's Koji Uehara celebrates after the Red Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers 1-0 in Game 3 of the American League baseball championship series in Detroit.

DETROIT - John Lackey edged Justin Verlander in the latest duel of these pitching-rich playoffs, and Boston's bullpen shut down Detroit's big boppers with the game on the line to lift the Red Sox over the Tigers 1-0 Tuesday for a 2-1 lead in the AL championship series.

Mike Napoli homered off Verlander in the seventh inning, and Detroit's best chance to rally fell short in the eighth when Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder struck out with runners at the corners.

Despite three straight gems by their starters, the Tigers suddenly trail in a best-of-seven series they seemed to have complete control of only two days ago. Game 4 is Wednesday night at Comerica Park, with Jake Peavy scheduled to start for the Red Sox against Doug Fister.

Lackey allowed four hits in 6 2-3 innings, striking out eight without a walk in a game that was delayed 17 minutes in the second inning because lights on the stadium towers went out.

It was the second 1-0 game in this matchup between the highest-scoring teams in the majors. That's been the theme throughout these playoffs, which have included four 1-0 scores and seven shutouts in the first 26 games.

After rallying from a five-run deficit to even the series in Game 2, Boston came away with a win in Detroit against one of the game's best pitchers. The Tigers had a chance for their own comeback in the eighth when Austin Jackson drew a one-out walk and Torii Hunter followed with a single.

But Cabrera, who failed to reach base for the first time in 32 postseason games for the Tigers, never looked comfortable against Junichi Tazawa, swinging and missing at the first two offerings and eventually chasing an outside pitch for strike three.

Fielder was even more overmatched against Koji Uehara, striking out on three pitches.

Uehara also pitched the ninth for a save, ensuring that Lackey's fine performance wouldn't go to waste.

Lackey pitched poorly his first two seasons in Boston after signing an $82.5 million, five-year contract in December 2009. Then he missed all of 2012 following elbow ligament-replacement surgery.

He's been better this season, and he kept the Tigers off balance Tuesday by effectively changing speeds.

Napoli's first at-bat in the majors was against Verlander on May 4, 2006, at Detroit's Comerica Park. He homered then, too.

This hit was far more important. In the last two games, the Tigers have started Verlander and 21-game winner Max Scherzer - and the Red Sox won both.