It took a little negotiation from higher powers, but manager Jim Leyland ended up with the third-base bag that Miguel Cabrera's roller hit during a crucial four-run sixth.

Ian Kinsler hit it hard in the sixth, but he also hit it straight at third baseman Brandon Inge, who took one step to his right onto the bag before completing the inning-ending double play with a throw across the diamond.

C.J. Wilson knows he needed to make a couple better pitches after Miguel Cabrera's grounder bad-hopped over third baseman Adrian Beltre's head in a disastrous sixth inning that led to a 7-5 win for the Tigers.

The poster on the wall, a relic from the 1984 World Series, is of a nighttime Tiger Stadium, illuminated by a lightning bolt out of the dark skies.

The Wall: Comerica's 3B loves a crowd

Rangers manager Ron Washington has leaned hard on his bullpen, but he'll hope to get more mileage out of young starter Derek Holland in Game 6 of the ALCS on Saturday.

Justin Verlander pitched with a chance at history seemingly every time he took the mound this season. If Game 5 of the American League Championship Series ends up being his last start of the year, he'll go out with a performance that won't soon be forgotten.

Justin Verlander and Co. sent the ALCS back to Texas, and now it will be up to Max Scherzer to send it to a Game 7 when he duels left-hander Derek Holland on Saturday at Rangers Ballpark.

A second start represents a fresh opportunity for Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia. The 25-year-old gets the call in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Friday night at Busch Stadium.

As much as Zack Greinke might try to downplay the significance of Friday night's start against the Cardinals in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, it's impossible for him to overlook the fact that it will be much different than any of the previous 30 starts he has made this year.

The Yankees announced a trio of minor roster moves on Thursday, removing infielder Reegie Corona from their 40-man roster and reinstating right-hander Joba Chamberlain and outfielder Justin Maxwell from the 60-day disabled list.

Lance Berkman received quite a reward for winning the National League Comeback Player of the Year Award. He was held out of the starting lineup for the first time this postseason.

Brewers COO Rick Schlesinger was rooting hard for the team to push the National League Championship Series back to Milwaukee. It's good for the ballclub, and it's good for business, too.

If this was the regular season, Jim Leyland said, Alex Avila would probably sit down for a day. With the Tigers' postseason fate on life support, Avila was again behind the plate for Game 5 on Thursday.

While the Red Sox and Cubs continued to work out the remaining issues that would finalize Theo Epstein's move to Chicago, Ben Cherington is in the on-deck circle, with a strong likelihood that he will become Boston's next general manager.

The Mets have interviewed former big league managers Jim Riggleman and Bob Geren for their bench-coach vacancy and hope to complete their coaching-staff hires by next week, according to a team official.

While Mike Scioscia wields a certain influence with the Angels — as would be expected of a successful veteran manager — owner Arte Moreno said skipper is not making the final call in decisions traditionally made by a GM.