by DETROIT (WKZO) — After dropping two in a row to the Minnesota Twins, the Tigers turned it around for a 3-0 shutout win in their final game of the regular season, evening the series 2-2 in the process.
Going into the game, Detroit had already secured a Wild Card spot, but it was obvious from how they played that this wasn’t enough. David Price pitched nearly eight shutout innings before turning things over to Joba Chamberlain and Joe Nathan, who closed the deal, keeping Minnesota scoreless for the home stretch.
Catherine Slonksnis reported that Joba Chamberlain (Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska) is still happy he doesn’t have to face two players that have become his teammates and friends, something he said at the start of the year. After the way both Victor Martinez and Cabrera have performed this year, including Cabrera’s battle through injury, it’s something Chamberlain felt was worth repeating.
“It was the reason I came here,” Chamberlain said. “Number one reason, I didn’t have to face Victor and Miggy anymore. And I knew what (the Tigers) had, from the top to the bottom. Just coming over here and being able to win with these guys. It’s a great group, a great organization. Just honored and privileged.”
The season gave Chamberlain a way to avoid two of the game’s best sluggers, but it also provided him an opportunity to make a comeback after past rough seasons. While it hasn’t been a storybook season for him, it has been uplifting.
