Former Erie SeaWolves pitcher Drew Smyly was the winner in relief for the Detroit Tigers, who squandered a four-run, ninth-inning lead before recovering for a 6-4 extra-inning win over the New York Yankees in game one of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium.

Other former SeaWolves who contributed to Detroit’s emotional victory were outfielders Andy Dirks and Avisail Garcia (single, RBI each) and pinch-runner Don Kelly, who scored one of the Tigers’ two decisive runs in the top of the 12th inning.

Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson, another former Erie player, went hitless with a walk for New York.

– Mike Copper

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Orioles 2, Yankees 1, 13 innings
NEW YORK — J.J. Hardy hit an RBI double in the 13th inning and the Baltimore Orioles bounced back from a demoralizing loss to outlast the New York Yankees 2-1 late tonight, forcing a deciding Game 5 in the AL Division Series.
After splitting 22 games this year, it all comes down this: a winner-take-all for a spot in the AL Championship Series.
Game 1 winner CC Sabathia is set to pitch the deciding game for the Yankees. Orioles manager Buck Showalter had not announced his starter.
Eric Chavez, pinch-hitting for Alex Rodriguez, lined out to end the game shortly after midnight.
The Orioles were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position until Hardy doubled off David Phelps with one out to score Manny Machado.

– Associated Press

Yankees 3, Orioles 2, 12 innings
NEW YORK —  Raul Ibanez lined a ninth-inning home run while pinch hitting for slumping Alex Rodriguez, then hit a leadoff homer in the 12th, giving the New York Yankees a stunning 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles tonight for a 2-1 lead in their AL Division Series.
Batting for baseball’s highest-paid player, Ibanez homered to right-center with one out in the ninth inning off Baltimore closer Jim Johnson to tie it at 2. He then hit the first pitch from Brian Matusz leading off the 12th.
Phil Hughes will start for the Yankees Thursday night in Game 4 of the best-of-five series. Chris Tillman or Joe Saunders will start for Baltimore.

– Associated Press

A’s vs. Tigers

How can you stop Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera or Prince Fielder?

I’m not sure Oakland can.

The A’s have been on quite a roll, but “Moneyball” doesn’t usually translate into postseason success.

While having Oakland advance would be nice, it’s too hard to ignore the Tigers.

They have the hitting and pitching to win a short series.

The pick: Tigers in five.

Yankees vs. Orioles

In April, not many people would have picked the Orioles to have a winning record.

Here they are in October facing the Yankees in the playoffs after beating the Texas Rangers.

I don’t see them slowing down the Yankees.

The joy ride ends.

The pick: Yankees in four.

Reds vs. Giants

San Francisco emerged from the NL West, but I’m not sold on their rotation after Matt Cain.

The Reds? Yeah, I like everything about them.

They can hit. They can pitch. They have the relievers to shut down the opposition.

They can go a long way, too.

The pick: Reds in four

Nationals vs. Cardinals

Where are you Stephen Strasburg?

The Nationals have their ace shut down for the season, but they still have some live arms remaining.

I know they’re new to the postseason, but they should have enough to beat the Cardinals.

The pick: Nationals in five.

Agree? Disagree? Post them in the comments below.

– Rick Green

Fans of the struggling Cleveland Indians still have something to celebrate.

The Akron Aeros won their fourth Eastern League title since 2003 with Saturday night’s 6-1 victory over the Trenton Thunder at Waterfront Park. Cleveland’s Double-A affiliate celebrated after clinching the teams’ best-of-five series in four games.

The Aeros insured themselves the title thanks to a three-run ninth inning. Adam Abraham and Ryan Rohlinger highlighted their victory, as each recorded two hits and an RBI.

– Mike Copper

Stash the brooms. The Trenton Thunder avoided being swept in the 2012 Eastern League championship series.

Trenton cut the Akron Aeros’ best-of-five final advantage in half with Friday’s 11-7 victory at Waterfront Park. Zoilo Almonte’s three-run home run highlighted his five-RBI night for the Thunder, who now trail the series 2-1.

Akron gets another chance to clinch its fourth league title since 2003 when the teams play game four Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in New Jersey. If needed, Sunday’s winner-take-all fifth game at Waterfront is scheduled for 4:05.

– Mike Copper

The Akron Aeros are one game away from their fourth Eastern League championship in a decade.

Akron took a 2-0 series lead against Trenton with Wednesday’s 7-5 victory at Canal Park. Jesus Aguilar and Ryan Rohlinger each hit two-run home runs for the Aeros, who seek to add to the titles they claimed in 2003, 2005 and 2009.

Trenton, which defeated Akron for league bragging rights in 2008, must now sweep three straight games in New Jersey, where the remainder of the series will take place. The third game at Waterfront Park is scheduled Friday at 7:05 p.m.

– Mike Copper

Starting pitcher Paolo Espino and two relievers combined on a three-hit shutout for Akron, which blanked Trenton 3-0 in Tuesday night’s first game of the 2012 Eastern League championship series.

The best-of-five opener at Canal Park pitted the Western Division-winning Aeros against the Eastern Division-winning Thunder.

Tyler Holt starred on offense for Akron. The center fielder totaled two hits, a walk and scored twice.

– Mike Copper

The Eastern League’s best teams will meet for this season’s title.

The Western Division champion Akron Aeros will take on the Trenton Thunder, the Eastern Division pennant winners, starting Tuesday at Canal Park. Akron will host the first two games in the best-of-five final, with each first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Trenton will host the remaining games at Waterfront Park. The fifth and deciding game, if needed, would take place Sunday at 4:05 p.m.

– Mike Copper

The Akron Aeros forced a fifth and deciding game in their Eastern League playoff series against the Bowie Baysox Saturday.

Akron, the Western Division champion, edged the wild-card Baysox 2-1 at Canal Park. The Aeros will have the chance to rally from an 0-2 series defecit if they can beat Bowie in Sunday’s 7:05 p.m. finale.

Trenton remained up 2-1 in its Eastern Division series against Reading when Saturday’s fourth game was postponed by poor weather. The scheduled first pitch for Sunday’s game wasn’t immediately listed by the league.

– Mike Copper