Tonight On KHTK: Coco’s Heroics Force Game 5
Apr 9, 2020, 9:45 AM | Updated: 9:45 am
(Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
With their backs against the wall, the Oakland Athletics forced Game 5 in the 2012 ALDS
This week on Sports 1140 KHTK, we’re taking a look at the 2012 Oakland Athletics, a team that defied the odds and clinched the American League West.
Thursday night, tune in to 1140 AM to catch Game 4 of the 2012 ALDS between the A’s and Detroit Tigers, starting at 5:00 PM.
Game 4
After a shutout win in Game 3, the Oakland Athletics handed the ball to A.J. Griffin in another elimination game. The Detroit Tigers would send out Max Scherzer as they attempted to advance to the 2012 ALCS.
Detroit struck first, taking a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning thanks to an RBI single from Austin Jackson and a solo home run from Prince Fielder.
Stephen Drew doubled in a run for the A’s to cut the deficit to 2-1, but the Tigers would get their insurance run back after Avisail Garcia’s RBI single in the top of the eighth inning.
With three outs remaining in their season, Oakland went to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning facing a 3-1 deficit.
Josh Reddick laced a single to open the inning, followed by a double from Josh Donaldson to put the tying run on second base with nobody out. In the next at bat, Seth Smith sent the Coliseum into a frenzy as he drove both runs in with a double, tying the game at 3-3.
Oakland had the winning run on second base with nobody out.
Tigers closer Jose Valverde appeared to settle down, retiring the next two batters via pop-up and strikeout. Next up was Athletics outfielder Coco Crisp, eyeing a chance to extend the series to a decisive Game 5.
Crisp took the first pitch from Valverde into right field, where Garcia misplayed the ball and the Athletics mobbed home plate as Seth Smith raced home for the winning run.
Oakland had delivered one of the most improbable comebacks in recent playoff memory, and the A’s lived to fight another day.
Listen to the sounds of Game 4 of the 2012 ALDS tonight on Sports 1140 KHTK at 5:00pm.