Tigers into World Series after dismissing Yankees in ALCS sweep

DETROIT -- Max Scherzer capped a stupendous stretch for Detroit's starting rotation, and the Tigers advanced to the World Series for the second time in seven years by beating the New York Yankees 8-1 Thursday for a four-game sweep of the AL Championship Series.

Miguel Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta hit two-run homers in a four-run fourth inning against CC Sabathia, who was unable to prevent the Yankees from getting swept in a postseason series for the first time in 32 years, when they were swept by Kansas City 3-0 in the ALCS.

The Yankees were swept in seven-game series in three World Series: 1976 (Reds), 1963 (Dodgers) and 1922 (Giants).

"Yeah, we did it," Cabrera said. "It's an unbelievable feeling. ... Four more wins, guys. Four more wins."

Scherzer took a no-hit bid into the sixth against a New York starting lineup that was again without Alex Rodriguez, who flied out with two on in the sixth as a pinch hitter.

Austin Jackson added a solo shot in the seventh for Detroit, and Peralta hit another homer an inning later.

The game ended with first baseman Prince Fielder, Detroit's prized off-season acquisition, gleefully calling off his teammates on Jayson Nix's popup and making the catch for the final out. .

Detroit won its 11th American League pennant and first since 2006. The Tigers have five days off before the World Series starts Wednesday at defending champion St. Louis or 2010 winner San Francisco.

After scoring in just three of 39 innings during the series, the Yankees head home to face unpleasant questions about their future following a postseason of awful hitting and benched stars.

Rodriguez, the $275 million third baseman, was out of the starting lineup for the third time in the playoffs. Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera could only watch following season-ending injuries.

The Yankees hit .188 in the postseason and .157 in the LCS. New York went quietly in the ninth inning, with the Comerica Park crowd chanting "Sweep!" while the last three batters made out in order.

Detroit outhit New York 16-2 in the finale and 46-22 in the series.

Without a World Series title since 1984, Detroit lost to Texas in last year's ALCS but signed Fielder in the off-season. The excitement of that bold move subsided a bit when the Tigers struggled to a 26-32 start in the AL Central, but they overtook the Chicago White Sox in the final 10 days of the regular season and won the division with an 88-74 record, matching the Cardinals for the fewest wins among the 10 playoff teams..

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