Tigers put A's on the ropes

The Detroit Tigers handled the chilly weather and the Oakland A's with ease Friday at Comerica Park.

With temperatures reduced to single digits, the Tigers disposed of the A's 3-0 to take Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

The Tigers lead the best-of-seven series 3-0 and are one win away from their first World Series berth since winning baseball's championship in 1984.

"That's our goal. That's what we play for," Tigers starter Kenny Rogers said. "I can't say enough for the way the guys played behind me."

Detroit has also won its last six playoff games after dropping the opening contest to the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.

Rogers was masterful for the Tigers, allowing only two hits and a pair of walks while striking out six in 7 1/3 innings of work.

Closer Todd Jones retired the A's in the ninth to earn his third save of the post-season.

It was the second great post-season start for Rogers, who has thrown 15 scoreless innings for the Tigers so far.

Rogers was also magnificent in his last start against the Yankees. The veteran left-hander shed the label of not being a big-game pitcher, baffling New York's hitters for 7 2/3 innings en route to a 6-0 victory.

"It was no less emotional," Rogers said. "But I just wanted to play my game. We've played great all year long. I take nothing for granted."

Prior to that outing, the 41-year-old Rogers had been brutal in his playoff career, going 0-3 with an 8.85 earned-run average in nine games.

He had also been winless in his last 11 starts against New York.

"He's a professional pitcher, that's what he is," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said of Rogers. "There's guys with better stuff, there's guys that will light up the radar gun a little more.

"But nobody could've pitched better than Kenny in these last two outings."

While Rogers had a history of failure against the Yankees, he has enjoyed plenty of success against the A's.

Wasting no time

Rogers had won his last eighth decisions against Oakland during his 17-year career and is22-7 overall.

"It's not an impossible task," A's manager Ken Macha said of his team's 3-0 series deficit. "I think the approach has always been one game. We've got four good starters lined up."

The Tigers wasted little time getting to A's starting pitcher Rich Harden with two runs in the first inning.

Detroit put two men on when Placido Polance singled to centre field, scoring Curtis Granderson and advancing Craig Monroe to third.

The Tigers then took a 2-0 lead after slugger Magglio Ordonez grounded into a fielder's choice, bringing home Monroe.

Harden, a Victoria, B.C.,native, settled down and pitched three scoreless innings until Monroe gave Detroit a 3-0 advantage, delivering a solo shot to deep left in the fifth.

The A's right-hander finished the game going 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs and five hits despite striking out four batters.