Tonight's Top Performers (MLB Postseason)

The 2011 Major League Baseball Postseason has not disappointed thus far. Two more one run games tonight as the Rangers and Tigers got to within one win of the American League Championship Series.

RANGERS 4 RAYS 3 - Texas leads series 2-1

Mike Napoli had the big hit to put the Rangers ahead in the 7th inning, but none of that would've mattered if not for the dominant performance from Colby Lewis. Lewis allowed just one hit, a solo home run off the bat of Desmond Jennings, in 6 innings of work as he kept the Rays offense in check all night until the Rangers offense was able to break through against David Price. The 32 year old Lewis, who spent 2008 and 2009 pitching in Japan, is now 4-0 in five postseason starts with the Rangers over the past two seasons with an ERA of 1.67.

Photo Credit: zimbio.com

TIGERS 5 YANKEES 4 - Detroit leads series 2-1

No disrespect to Delmon Young, who hit the game winning home run in the bottom of the 7th inning off of Rafael Soriano, but no one is more deserving of the Game Ball than Justin Verlander. Pitching on just two days rest after the bizarre rain delayed/suspended Game 1, Verlander came out and threw 8 innings and 120 pitches to get the win for Detroit. It was more than that though. Verlander was hitting upwards of 100 miles per hour on the gun, struck out eleven hitters including every Yankee starter at least once, and aside from a rocky first inning, and a 3-batter stretch in the 7th that allowed the Yankees to tie the game, he was spectacular. And now the Tigers need to win just one of the next two to advance to the next round.

Photo Credit: zimbio.com

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