Don Kelly Gets Game Winning Hit in a 7-3 Extra Innings Win

[gladdyontherise]

The Detroit Tigers beat the Houston Astros tonight 7-3 in 14 innings.

The Astros were down 2-0 early, but responded in the 3rd inning with a double from Omar Infante, single from Austin Jackson to put runners on 1st and 3rd for Torii Hunter who hit a single to drive in Infante. Miguel Cabrera came up next and hit a single to drive in Jackson and it was a 2-2 game; it was Cabrera's 1000th hit as a Tiger, as Rick Thompson mentioned.

Rick Porcello went on to allow a run to put the Astros up 3-2, but he pitched a good game. He went 7 innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits, and striking out 7 batters.

The Tigers scored in the 8th inning after Prince Fielder was hit by the pitch, then Victor Martinez hit a single and Prince Fielder scored on a fielding error to make it a 3-3 game.

Jose Ortega came in for relief and pitched a scoreless 8th inning. Ortega came back out and pitched a scoreless 9th inning.

Joaquin Benoit came in and pitched a scoreless 10th inning.

In the 11th inning, Matt Tuiasosopo drew a walk, followed by a Jhonny Peralta single. With 2 outs, Brayan Pena pinch hit and hit a sharp single to right field, but Tuiasospo was thrown out at the plate by Rick Ankiel to keep it a 3-3 game.

Joaquin Benoit came back out and pitched a scoreless 11th inning. Darin Downs then came in and got the first 2 outs of the 12th inning, then Luke Putkonen got the final out of the inning.

Don Kelly led the 13th inning off with a double, then with 1 out, Jhonny Peralta hit a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd for Brayan Pena, but he struck out and the Tigers didn't score.

Luke Putkonen came back out and pitched a scoreless 13th inning.

Like Don Kelly, Austin Jackson led the 14th inning off with a double, then Torii Hunter hit a ground ball to advance Jackson to 3rd base. Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder were both intentionally walked to load the bases with 1 out for Don Kelly who hit a single to drive in Jackson. Matt Tuiasosopo came up next and hit a double to drive in Cabrera and Fielder, then Jhonny Peralta hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Kelly and the Tigers took a 7-3 lead.

Putkonen came back out and pitched a scoreless 14th inning win his first career game, and get the Tigers the win.

The Tigers continue their series with the Astros tomorrow as Doug Fister (4-0 2.38 ERA) pitches against Bud Norris (3-3 4.20 ERA).

Picture credit: zimbio.com
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