[Nick Soulis]

Series #262



Game 1 — Comerica Park
Dykstra Leads Phils On The Right Foot

Philadelphia 1995 Phillies 8
Detroit 2008 Tigers 5

Philadelphia struck quickly and never allowed Detroit to fully recover, establishing early momentum with a three-run first inning that immediately placed pressure on Justin Verlander and the Tigers’ pitching staff. Lenny Dykstra set the tone for the series with a dominant performance at the top of the order, going 4-for-5 with a home run, three runs scored, and three RBI, consistently igniting rallies that forced Detroit to play from behind. Tony Longmire delivered a pivotal swing in the third inning, driving a two-run single that extended the Phillies’ lead to 5-2 and reinforced Philadelphia’s early control of the game. Curt Schilling worked six solid innings, striking out seven while limiting Detroit’s powerful lineup to three runs, effectively neutralizing Miguel Cabrera and preventing sustained middle-order damage. Detroit mounted late pressure, with Ivan Rodriguez driving in two runs and Gary Sheffield contributing a two-RBI effort, but the Phillies created separation once more in the ninth inning when Dykstra’s three-run homer off Jeremy Bonderman provided critical insurance. Despite a late push that narrowed the margin, Philadelphia maintained control throughout most of the evening, demonstrating the balanced offensive sequencing and timely execution highlighted throughout the pre-series discussion.

**Key Performers**
• Lenny Dykstra — 4-for-5, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI
• Tony Longmire — 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
• Curt Schilling — 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 ER), 7 K
• Ivan Rodriguez — 2-for-4, 2 RBI
• Gary Sheffield — 2-for-3, 2 RBI

**Series:** Philadelphia leads 1–0
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Game 2 — Comerica Park
Thomas Walk Off Even Series In 13 innings

Philadelphia 1995 Phillies 6
Detroit 2008 Tigers 7

Detroit evened the series in a dramatic 13-inning battle, overcoming an early deficit through persistence and timely extra-base hitting. Philadelphia again struck early, building a 5–2 advantage behind disciplined situational offense from Gregg Jefferies and continued table-setting from Lenny Dykstra. The turning point came in the seventh inning when Placido Polanco delivered a bases-loaded double to drive in three runs, erasing the Phillies’ lead and shifting momentum toward Detroit. Both bullpens worked through repeated pressure situations as the game extended deep into extra innings, with Miguel Cabrera and Curtis Granderson helping sustain offensive opportunities through consistent contact. In the bottom of the 13th inning, Clete Thomas delivered the decisive moment, lining a two-out single to score the winning run and secure a 7–6 victory. Carlos Guillen’s home run and three-hit performance anchored Detroit’s offense across the extended contest, ensuring the Tigers would not fall into an early two-game deficit as the series now shifts to Philadelphia.

Key Performers
• Carlos Guillen — 3-for-7, HR, 2 R
• Placido Polanco — 2-for-6, 3 RBI (bases-loaded double)
• Curtis Granderson — 3-for-6, R, RBI
• Lenny Dykstra — 2-for-7, HR, 2 R
• Gregg Jefferies — 1-for-4, 3 RBI

Series: Tied 1–1
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Game 3 — Veterans Stadium
Phanatics Lead Phils To Series Lead

Detroit 2008 Tigers 3
Philadelphia 1995 Phillies 5

Philadelphia regained control of Series 262 behind timely power and efficient pitching, defeating Detroit 5–3 at Veterans Stadium. The Phillies built their advantage through consistent contact and situational execution, beginning in the third inning when Jim Eisenreich delivered a two-out RBI single to open the scoring. The decisive stretch came in the fifth inning when Mickey Morandini and Gregg Jefferies each launched home runs off Zebulon Miner, creating separation on the scoreboard and forcing Detroit to play from behind for most of the contest. Jefferies continued his strong series with a 2-hit performance, driving in two runs while consistently applying pressure in the middle of the order. Philadelphia starter Mark Mimbs worked through traffic across 6.1 innings, limiting Detroit to four hits while navigating five walks and preventing sustained rallies until the seventh inning. Detroit produced late pressure but struggled to generate consistent extra-base contact, collecting just four hits overall despite drawing multiple walks. The Phillies bullpen combination of Danny West and Heathcliff Slocumb stabilized the final innings, with Slocumb recording the save to secure the victory. With the win, Philadelphia reclaims the series edge as the matchup continues at Veterans Stadium.

Key Performers
• Gregg Jefferies — 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• Jim Eisenreich — 3-for-4, RBI
• Mickey Morandini — 2-for-4, HR, RBI
• Mark Mimbs — 6.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 5 BB
• Ivan Rodriguez — 1-for-4, R

Series: Philadelphia 1995 leads 2–1
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Game 4 — Veterans Stadium
Cabrera Awakens As Tigers Roar

Detroit 2008 Tigers 8
Philadelphia 1995 Phillies 4

Detroit evened Series 262 at two games apiece with a commanding offensive performance at Veterans Stadium, pounding out nineteen hits in an 8-4 victory. The Tigers seized control with a six-run fifth inning that erased a four-run Philadelphia lead built in the third, sending ten batters to the plate and chasing starter Paul Quantrill from the game. Miguel Cabrera, held without an RBI through the first three games, finally announced himself with three hits including two doubles and two RBI, providing the middle-of-the-order production Detroit had been missing. Matt Joyce was equally impressive, going three for four with a home run and two RBI while scoring twice. Nate Robertson gave Detroit six workmanlike innings, allowing four runs while keeping Philadelphia's lineup just uncomfortable enough to secure the victory. The Phillies showed early fight — a Dave Hollins triple keyed a four-run third inning — but could not withstand Detroit's relentless attack once the fifth inning arrived. Placido Polanco continued his quietly outstanding series with three hits and an RBI.

**Key Performers**
- Matt Joyce — 3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Miguel Cabrera — 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI
- Placido Polanco — 3-for-5, RBI
- Nate Robertson — 6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 3 BB
- Carlos Guillen — 2-for-6, 2 RBI

**Series:** Tied 2–2
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Game 5 — Veterans Stadium
Vintage Verlander Silences The Vet

Detroit 2008 Tigers 3
Philadelphia 1995 Phillies 0

Justin Verlander returned to Veterans Stadium and delivered one of the signature performances of Series 262, shutting out Philadelphia on two hits over seven and two thirds innings as Detroit seized a three games to two series lead. Verlander, knocked out before completing three innings in Game 1, was virtually untouchable in Game 5 — commanding his fastball with precision, burying his curveball consistently, and never allowing the Philadelphia lineup to find any rhythm against him. The Tigers broke through in the fifth when Matt Joyce led off with a solo home run, his second of the series, and added two more in the seventh when Miguel Cabrera doubled and Iván Rodríguez followed with a two-run triple to right center that effectively ended the contest. Curt Schilling was exceptional in defeat — eight innings, nine strikeouts, three earned runs — but ran into a pitcher who was simply better on this particular October night. Philadelphia managed just three hits all evening and never seriously threatened to score. David Bautista finished the game with one and a third scoreless innings in relief of Verlander.

Key Performers
Justin Verlander — 7.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
Matt Joyce — 2-for-3, HR, RBI, 2 R
Iván Rodríguez — 1-for-4, triple, 2 RBI
Curt Schilling — 8.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Miguel Cabrera — 1-for-4, 2B

Series: Detroit leads 3–2

Game 6 — Comerica Park
DETROIT CLAWS BACK, ADVANCES IN ELEVEN

Philadelphia 1995 Phillies 1
Detroit 2008 Tigers 2 (11 innings)

In one of the most gripping games of Series 262, the Detroit 2008 Tigers eliminated the Philadelphia 1995 Phillies with a walk-off victory in eleven innings at Comerica Park, taking the series four games to two. The game was a pitching masterpiece from both sides — Armando Galarraga, roughed up for five earned runs in Game 2, returned to deliver a stunning nine and a third innings of one-run ball, retiring Philadelphia hitters on ground ball after ground ball with a sinker that never stopped moving. Mike Williams was equally exceptional for Philadelphia, throwing six and a third scoreless innings and keeping Detroit completely off balance through the middle of the game. Neither team scored through nine innings before Dave Hollins broke the silence with a leadoff home run in the top of the tenth that gave Philadelphia a brief and heartbreaking lead. Detroit answered immediately in the bottom of the tenth when Curtis Granderson doubled home the tying run off Heathcliff Slocumb. In the eleventh inning Detroit loaded the bases against Dennis Springer who could not find the strike zone, and the series ending run walked home on four pitches. Jason Bonderman closed out the final five outs without allowing a baserunner to seal the victory.

Key Performers
Armando Galarraga — 9.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Mike Williams — 6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Curtis Granderson — 1-for-5, 2B, RBI
Dave Hollins — 1-for-4, HR, RBI
Jason Bonderman — 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K

2008 Tigers Win Series 4-2

SERIES MVP


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