In the first two innings of the deciding game of the ALDS, rookie Sonny Gray kept pace with two-time Cy Young Winner Justin Verlander. The two pitchers both flashed dominant stuff as they coasted through the opening frames, leaving the Tigers and Athletics tied at 0-0 through two frames.
ALDS Game 5, Tigers vs. Athletics score update: Gray and Verlander keep it scoreless
Over the first two frames of Game 5, we have a pitcher’s duel shaping up.
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Sonny Gray was strong in the first inning, starting the game off by striking out Austin Jackson and setting the Tigers down in order in the first. He allowed a walk to Prince Fielder to start the second inning, but still managed to face the minimum thanks to strong defense. With one out, Gray struck out Jhonny Peralta, and then catcher Steven Vogt caught Fielder stealing to end the inning.
Verlander was even more impressive, striking out four of the six Athletics he faced. The Tigers ace came out throwing heat, serving Oakland hitters seven straight fastballs before going to the change up to get Jed Lowrie to strike out. Like Gray, Verlander cruised through the first, getting a first-pitch fly out from leadoff man Coco Crisp and then striking out Josh Donaldson and Lowrie. He then proceed to strike out the side in the second.
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