.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
BALTIMORE -- When you're mentioned in the same sentence with Babe Ruth, you know you got it going on.
Baltimore designated hitter Nelson Cruz could boast about just that Thursday evening, when he smacked a two-run, first-inning homer off Detroit starter Max Scherzer in Game 1 of the ALDS. He then added an RBI single in an eight-run eighth inning as the Orioles roughed up the Tigers 12-3.
The home run, Cruz's 15th in the postseason, tied Ruth for 10th on the all-time list -- which the Camden Yards press-box announcer quickly pointed out.
"It's just, I like to enjoy these moments (the playoffs)" Cruz said. "As a player, you like to be in this situation."
For the Tigers, it was a situation they've experienced before. They saw the same power from Cruz in the 2011 ALCS, when he was a member of the Texas Rangers.
In that series, Cruz homered six times, knocked in 13 runs and scored seven. He also touched up Scherzer along the way, homering off him in Game 2, a 7-3 Rangers victory. They would eventually prevail in six games, and Cruz was named MVP.
When a reporter asked, "What do you have against the Tigers?" after Thursday's game, Cruz smiled and said, "Nothing against the Tigers, just trying to do my job."
After playing the previous eight seasons for the Rangers, Cruz signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Orioles in February. He led the majors with 40 homers this season and had 108 RBIs.
DAVIS STILL AILING
Tigers center fielder Rajai Davis, coming off a pelvic injury, appeared to be running gingerly a few times Thursday night.
Before the game, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said that he felt confident Davis could play at full speed, maybe even steal a base. Ausmus didn't sound so sure following the game.
"At times, he looked like he was struggling," he said. "I checked with him at times; (trainer) Kevin Rand checked with him at times."
And when it came time for Davis to bat in the ninth inning of a blowout, Ausmus sent Ezequiel Carrera up instead.
Ausmus explained that pinch-hitting for Davis served two purposes.
"It was precautionary, and it got Carrera an at-bat," Ausmus said.
Said Davis: "I felt a lot better earlier in the game, but as the weather got cooler, it tightened up a little better."
But Davis expects to play Friday.
"I'm hoping it's really warm, so I don't have to worry about warming it up," he said.
The Friday afternoon forecast in Baltimore is partly cloudy with a high temperature of 72.
EIGHTH-INNING DEBACLE
After Miguel Cabrera homered in the top of the eighth inning, the Tigers trailed by just a run, 4-3, heading into the bottom half of the inning.
Then it all came apart.
After Scherzer got Nick Markakis to line out to third base to start the inning, Alejandro De Aza doubled to right, ending Scherzer's night.
In came Joba Chamberlain to face Adam Jones, who hit a sharp grounder to usually sure-handed shortstop Andrew Romine. But he mishandled the in-between hop and the ball ended up in left-center field, allowing Markakis to score.
The error opened up the floodgates as the Tigers' bullpen -- Chamberlain, Joakim Soria, then Phil Coke -- struggled mightily.
"Very tough (to watch)" Scherzer said. "This is what we play for. This is the position we want to be in, and for us not to come away with a win -- no matter what the scenario is -- is always tough. Whether we lose 12-3 or lose by one run, they're always tough."
RIGHT BACK AT IT
Before Thursday's game, Orioles manager Buck Showalter took a jab at the schedule-makers for Friday's early start time (12:07 p.m.)
"What is the reasoning?" he asked. "Markets? What's that do to our markets?"
After getting tagged with an ugly loss, Ausmus had a different take.
"There's no time to dwell on it," he said. "Let's get right back at it."
PUTTING IT IN PERSPECTIVE
Chamberlain didn't like the mood in the Tigers' clubhouse after the game, which was -- to say the least -- somber.
"It's like somebody died," he said. "Life is not over."
***If multimedia does not appear right away, please click refresh***
