2013 American League Championship Series

2013 American League Championship Series
Team (Wins) Manager(s) Season Boston Red Sox(4) John Farrell 97–65,.599, GA:5+1⁄2 Detroit Tigers(2) Jim Leyland 93–69,.574, GA: 1
Dates	October 12–19
MVP	Koji Uehara(Boston)
Umpires	Joe West(crew chief),Rob Drake,Ron Kulpa,Alfonso Márquez,Dale Scott,Dan Iassogna
Broadcast
Television	Fox
TV announcers	Joe Buck,Tim McCarver,Ken Rosenthal,andErin Andrews
Radio	ESPN
Radio announcers	Jon SciambiandChris Singleton
ALDS	Boston Red SoxoverTampa Bay Rays(3–1) Detroit TigersoverOakland Athletics(3–2)
ALCS

The2013American League Championship Serieswas abest-of-seven playoffpitting theBoston Red Soxagainst theDetroit Tigersfor the American League pennant and the right to play in the2013 World Seriesagainst theSt. Louis Cardinals.The Red Sox won the series 4 games to 2. The series was the 44th in league history, and was the first postseason meeting between the two teams.

Foxaired all games in the United States. This is, to date, the final League Championship series to air in its entirety onbroadcast television;all of Fox's subsequent LCS series have been primarily broadcast onFS1.

Koji Ueharawas the series MVP.

The Red Sox would go on to defeat theSt. Louis Cardinalsin theWorld Series,winning their eighth World Series championship.

Summary

Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers

Boston won the series, 4–2.

Game	Date	Score	Location	Time	Attendance
1	October 12	Detroit Tigers– 1, Boston Red Sox – 0	Fenway Park	3:56	38,210
2	October 13	Detroit Tigers – 5,Boston Red Sox– 6	Fenway Park	3:28	38,029
3	October 15	Boston Red Sox– 1, Detroit Tigers – 0	Comerica Park	3:20(:17 delay)	42,327
4	October 16	Boston Red Sox – 3,Detroit Tigers– 7	Comerica Park	3:27	42,765
5	October 17	Boston Red Sox– 4, Detroit Tigers – 3	Comerica Park	3:47	42,669
6	October 19	Detroit Tigers – 2,Boston Red Sox– 5	Fenway Park	3:52	38,823

Game summaries

Game 1

October 12, 2013 8:07pm (EDT) atFenway ParkinBoston,Massachusetts55 °F (13 °C), cloudy

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Detroit	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	9	0
Boston	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
WP:Aníbal Sánchez(1–0)LP:Jon Lester(0–1)Sv:Joaquín Benoit(1)

Five Tiger pitchers (Aníbal Sánchez,Al Alburquerque,José Veras,Drew SmylyandJoaquín Benoit) combined to strike out 17 and hold the Red Sox hitless for8+1⁄3innings. Starter Sánchez struck out 12 and walked six through six shutout innings, but was lifted after throwing 116 pitches.Daniel Navabroke up the no-hitter with a one-out single in the ninth off Benoit. He was then lifted for a pinch-runner, former TigerQuintin Berry,who stole second base with two outs but was stranded there whenXander Bogaertspopped to shortstop to end the game. Benoit lost the no-hitter, but he earned the save, and the Tigers held on to win 1–0. The only run of the game scored in the sixth whenJhonny Peralta,the only player with multiple hits in the game (three), drove inMiguel Cabrerawith an RBI single.

Game 2

October 13, 2013 8:07pm (EDT) atFenway ParkinBoston,Massachusetts53 °F (12 °C), mostly clear

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Detroit	0	1	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	5	8	1
Boston	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	4	1	6	7	1
WP:Koji Uehara(1–0)LP:Rick Porcello(0–1) Home runs: DET:Miguel Cabrera(1),Alex Avila(1) BOS:David Ortiz(1)

Tiger starters continued their mastery of Red Sox hitters, this time withMax Scherzeron the mound. Scherzer no-hit Boston through the first5+2⁄3innings, struck out 13, and allowed just one run on two hits overall, leaving the game after seven innings with a 5–1 lead. The Tigers got a run in the second inning, whenVíctor Martínezdoubled, went to third on aJhonny Peraltasingle, and scored on a single byAlex Avila.In the top of the sixth, the wheels came off for Red Sox starterClay Buchholz.Miguel Cabrerahit a one-out home run over the left-field wall to start the scoring.Prince Fielderfollowed with a double off the left-field wall, then Martínez hit his second double of the night to score Fielder. One out later, Alex Avila hit a two-run homer to right, making the score 5–0. Scherzer allowed his lone run in the bottom of the frame, whenDustin Pedroiadoubled to drive inShane Victorino. That ended a string of 23 consecutive scoreless innings by Tiger pitching, going back to Game 5 of theALDSagainstOakland.Tiger managerJim Leylandused four relief pitchers in the bottom of the eighth inning, none of whom was very effective.José Verasallowed a one-out double toWill Middlebrooks,andDrew Smylywas brought in to faceJacoby Ellsbury,whom he promptly walked.Al Alburquerquestruck out Victorino for the second out of the inning, but Pedroia followed with a single to load the bases. Leyland went to his closer,Joaquín Benoit,to faceDavid Ortiz.On a first-pitch changeup, Ortiz hit a grand slam to tie the game at 5–5.Torii Hunter,in pursuing it to try to make the catch, flipped over the east side of the low Fenway Park bullpen wall at right field where theNikonadvertising sign was, as bullpen cop Steve Horgan raised his arms in celebration slightly behind him, while 2 other Red Sox catchers inside the bullpen (one of whom caught the Ortiz game-tying blast) had shocked looks on their faces because of Hunter's injury. Hunter had injured himself while trying to make the play. Other teammates from both teams rushed inside the Red Sox bullpen including some teammates from the Tigers, while bullpen cop Steve Horgan held the bullpen door open for the teammates to check on him. Hunter later got up and reported that he was doing alright as he left the bullpen. Meanwhile, afterKoji Ueharapitched a perfect ninth, Boston scored the winning run in the bottom of the frame. Jonny Gomesled off with an infield single-off relieverRick Porcello,and advanced to second on a throwing error by Tiger shortstopJosé Iglesias.Porcello threw a wild pitch, allowing Gomes to reach third.Jarrod Saltalamacchiafollowed with a walk-off RBI single to left, giving the Red Sox a wild 6–5 comeback win.

Game 3

October 15, 2013 4:07pm (EDT) atComerica ParkinDetroit, Michigan62 °F (17 °C), overcast

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Boston	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	4	0
Detroit	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1
WP:John Lackey(1–0)LP:Justin Verlander(0–1)Sv:Koji Uehara(1) Home runs: BOS:Mike Napoli(1) DET: None

In the bottom of the second, an electrical problem sidelined the game for 17 minutes. However once the game resumed, Game 3 resembled Game 1, featuring outstanding pitching from both teams. Boston'sJohn Lackeygave up four hits and no runs in6+2⁄3innings and struck out eight. Detroit'sJustin Verlander,who had not yet allowed a run in the postseason, pitched6+1⁄3shutout innings before allowing a home run to left field off the bat ofMike Napoli.Verlander would exit after eight innings pitched, giving up four hits and striking out ten. Boston escaped a jam in the bottom of the eighth inning when a walk toAustin Jacksonand a single byTorii Hunterput runners on first and third with one out. But Red Sox relieverJunichi Tazawastruck out sluggerMiguel Cabrera,thenKoji Ueharacame on and struck outPrince Fielderon three pitches to end the threat. Uehara then completed the ninth inning to earn the save. For Cabrera, this was the first time in 33 career postseason games that he failed to reach base.

Game 4

October 16, 2013 8:07pm (EDT) atComerica ParkinDetroit, Michigan55 °F (13 °C), overcast

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Boston	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	3	12	0
Detroit	0	5	0	2	0	0	0	0	x	7	9	0
WP:Doug Fister(1–0)LP:Jake Peavy(0–1)

The Red Sox sentJake Peavyto the mound looking to build a commanding 3–1 series lead. However, Peavy struggled in his only start of the series. After a scoreless first inning, Peavy gave up a leadoff single toVíctor Martínezto start the second inning. He then walked bothJhonny PeraltaandAlex Avilato load the bases. AfterOmar Infantewas robbed on a diving catch by right fielderShane Victorino,Austin Jacksonwalked on four pitches to give the Tigers a 1–0 lead.José Iglesiasthen hit a potential double-play grounder to second, butDustin Pedroiabobbled the ball and was only able to force Jackson at second, allowing Peralta to score.Torii Hunterthen doubled to score Avila and Iglesias. Hunter would then score on a single to center field byMiguel Cabrera,making the score 5–0 after two innings. In the fourth inning, the Tigers chased Peavy from the game with a ground-rule double by Infante and an RBI single by Jackson.Brandon Workmanthen replaced Peavy on the mound. After Jackson stole second base, Iglesias sacrificed him to third. One out later, Cabrera singled to score Jackson and make the score 7–0. For the Tigers,Doug Fisterscattered eight hits over six innings, striking out seven and giving up only one run on a series of hits in the sixth, capped by an RBI single fromJarrod Saltalamacchia.Shane Victorino andJacoby Ellsburywould later plate runs of their own off the Tiger bullpen, but it was not enough and the Tigers took Game 4 by a score of 7–3 to even the series at two games apiece. To date, this remains the last playoff game won by the Tigers.

Tiger leadoff hitter Austin Jackson, struggling with an.091 postseason batting average coming into the game (3–for–33) was dropped to eighth in the batting order by managerJim Leyland.He responded by reaching base four times (two hits and two walks) while driving in two runs.

Game 5

October 17, 2013 8:07pm (EDT) atComerica ParkinDetroit, Michigan50 °F (10 °C), overcast

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Boston	0	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	10	0
Detroit	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	3	10	1
WP:Jon Lester(1–1)LP:Aníbal Sánchez(1–1)Sv:Koji Uehara(2) Home runs: BOS:Mike Napoli(2) DET: None

Detroit threatened early against Boston starterJon Lester.With two on and two out,Jhonny Peraltasingled to left field, butJonny Gomesthrew outMiguel Cabrera,who was attempting to score from second base. The Red Sox offense scored early against Tiger starterAníbal Sánchez,who had baffled them in Game 1.Mike Napoliled off the second inning with a massive home run that landed in the ivy well beyond the 420-foot (130 m) center field wall atComerica Park.Jonny Gomesthen reached on a fielding error by third basemanMiguel Cabrera,and went to third on a one-out double byXander Bogaerts.Gomes scored on a double byDavid Ross,making the score 2–0, though Bogaerts only reached third base after he went back to tag up at second.Jacoby Ellsburythen lined a ball off the glove of Sánchez, which trickled away for an infield single, allowing Bogaerts to score the third run of the inning. Ross was then thrown out at the plate byOmar Infante,attempting to score on a ground ball to second byShane Victorino.On the play, Ross collided with Tigers catcherAlex Avila,injuring Avila's knee. Avila would stay in the game for two more innings while apparently wincing as he moved about. He was eventually pinch hit for by backup catcherBrayan Peña.In the third inning, the Red Sox went up 4–0, when Napoli doubled, went to third on a ground out, and scored on a wild pitch by Sánchez. After holding the Tigers scoreless for4+2⁄3innings, Lester allowed a two-out RBI single by Miguel Cabrera, scoringAustin Jacksonfrom second. Lester then allowed two baserunners in the Tiger sixth before being pulled for relieverJunichi Tazawa.Peña then greeted Tazawa with first-pitch single that platedVictor Martinez,making the score 4–2. The Tigers closed the gap to 4–3 in the seventh, whenJosé Iglesiasscored on a double-play grounder by Cabrera. Boston closerKoji Ueharawould enter with one out in the eighth inning, recording a perfect1+2⁄3innings, earning a save, and sending the Red Sox back home with a 3–2 series lead.

Game 6

October 19, 2013 8:07pm (EDT) atFenway ParkinBoston,Massachusetts59 °F (15 °C), mostly cloudy

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Detroit	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	8	1
Boston	0	0	0	0	1	0	4	0	x	5	5	1
WP:Junichi Tazawa(1–0)LP:Max Scherzer(0–1)Sv:Koji Uehara(3) Home runs: DET: None BOS:Shane Victorino(1)

Game 6 was originally scheduled for the afternoon, but with the NLCS having ended the night before, MLB and Fox moved the game into primetime. The first pitch came at 8:07pm EDT.

Both starters,Max ScherzerandClay Buchholz,were very strong in the early innings. After4+1⁄2scoreless innings, during whichDustin Pedroiamissed a home run off the left field foul pole by inches in the third, Boston drew first blood against Scherzer.Xander Bogaertssmacked a two-out double off the Green Monster and scored on a single byJacoby Ellsbury.Ellsbury, who had only been caught stealing four times out of 56 attempts during the regular season, then tried to swipe second but was thrown out. Buchholz allowedTorii HunterandMiguel Cabrerato reach base in the top of the sixth and was relieved byFranklin Morales.Morales did not record a single out, walkingPrince Fielderand allowing a two-run single byVíctor Martínezto make the score 2–1.Brandon Workmanthen came in and induced a bizarre double play in which Martinez was tagged by Dustin Pedroia, followed by Fielder getting caught between third and home in a rundown.

Jonny Gomesled off the seventh with a double and after aStephen Drewstrikeout and a walk by Bogaerts, Ellsbury hit a ground ball that popped out of the glove ofJosé Iglesiasfor an error. That brought upShane Victorino,who coming into this at bat was 2–for–23 in the series. Victorino crushed an 0–2José Verascurveball over the Green Monster for a grand slam and a 5–2 Red Sox lead. AfterCraig Breslowtossed a perfect eighth,Koji Uehara,who would receive MVP honors, earned the save by pitching a scoreless ninth.

With the victory, the Red Sox won their third pennant in a span of ten years and set aFall Classic rematchwith theSt. Louis Cardinals,whom they swept in 2004 to win theirfirst World Series in 86 years.

Composite line score

2013 ALCS(4–2):Boston Red SoxoverDetroit Tigers

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Detroit Tigers	0	6	0	2	1	8	1	0	0	18	50	4
Boston Red Sox	0	3	1	0	1	2	6	4	2	19	39	3
Total attendance:242,823Average attendance:40,470

Aftermath

Former TigerJ.D. Martinezsigned a free agent contract with the Red Sox during the 2017-2018 off-season to essentially replaceDavid Ortizatdesignated hitter,who retired after the2016season.In2017,the Red Sox's first season in 15 years without David Ortiz, the team struggled mightily at designated hitter and with runners in scoring position. It turned out Martinez fit the Red Sox like a glove, as he finished in 4th in MVP voting (his teammateMookie Bettswon the award), hit.330 and batted in a league-high 130 runs. As for the team, the Red Sox set a new franchise record for wins in a season at 108, surpassing the1912 team(105).Like the 1912 and 2013 teams, the Red Sox would later go on to win theWorld Seriesin 2018, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

Also on the 2018 Red Sox was long-time Tigers pitcherRick Porcello,who would finally reach his potential in 2016, winning 22 games and aCy Young Award.

The Tigers have not been back to an AL Championship Series since 2013. ManagerJim Leylandretired following the season and would be replaced by former Tiger playerBrad Ausmus.Detroit would make one final push for a World Series thefollowing season,acquiring All-StarsIan KinslerandDavid Pricein trades and featuring a pitching rotation that would include five past or future Cy Young winners. The Tigers would win theAL Centralfor the fourth straight year with a 90-72 record, but were defeated by the Baltimore Orioles in theAmerican League Division Series.Detroit would go on to post losing records in eight of the next nine seasons and wouldn’t return to the playoffs until the2024 postseason.

External links

• 2013 American League Championship SeriesatBaseball Reference