BALTIMORE -- Nelson Cruz and the Baltimore Orioles had the good fortune of avoiding Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer during the regular season. Or maybe it was the other way around. In his 2014 debut against the hard-hitting Orioles, Scherzer found out quickly that a poor pitch can go a long way -- in the other direction. Cruz and J.J. Hardy homered, and Baltimore hammered out 12 hits in defeating Scherzer and the Detroit Tigers 12-3 Thursday in the opener of their AL Division Series. I just left too many pitches up, Scherzer said. This is a great-hitting ballclub. You give them a chance to extend their arms, they can really hit it. Jonathan Schoop and Alejandro De Aza each had two hits and two RBIs for the Orioles, who turned a close game into a rout with an eight-run eighth inning against Scherzer and three ineffective relievers. The 12 runs set a post-season record for Baltimore, making its second playoff appearance since 1997. Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Friday at Camden Yards. Justin Verlander, the second of three straight Cy Young winners the Orioles will face, is set to go against left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. Verlander must avoid the mistakes made by Scherzer, who allowed five runs and seven hits in 7 1-3 innings. The right-hander was 18-5 during the regular season, but in this one he was burned by the long ball and outpitched by the Orioles. Ive got to find a way to get the ball down, Scherzer said. I wasnt quite able to do that tonight, and I paid for it. Cruz led the majors with 40 homers during the regular season, a good portion of Baltimores big league-best 211 long balls. His first-inning drive off Scherzer put the Orioles up 2-0 before Detroits Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez connected off Chris Tillman in the second to tie it. But Baltimore had too much firepower for the Tigers. Hardy led off the seventh by driving a poorly thrown changeup from Scherzer over the centre-field wall for a 4-2 lead. The one that stings is that J.J. Hardy home run, Scherzer said. That home run really changed the game in my eyes, gave them that insurance run. Cruz added his third RBI with a single during a wild eighth inning keyed by a Detroit error that kept the boisterous, orange-clad crowd of 47,842 on its feet. Five different Orioles finished with two hits. Clearly, facing Scherzer was not too daunting a task. Its the same game, De Aza said. Yes, this is a good pitcher, but its the same game. You have to throw the ball to home plate for a strike to get us out. Tillman (1-0) allowed two runs in five innings before Andrew Miller got five outs -- three by strikeout. Darren ODay gave up an eighth-inning homer to Miguel Cabrera, but the drive followed a double play. Orioles manager Buck Showalter then called upon closer Zach Britton, who had 37 saves during the regular season. Britton got the last out in the eighth, and by the time the ninth inning rolled around, he wasnt needed anymore. Miller had a 1.35 ERA in 23 games with Baltimore, ODay finished at 1.70 and Britton closed at 1.65. Thats one big reason why the AL East-champion Orioles were 80-4 when leading after eight innings. Meanwhile, Detroits revamped bullpen looked shaky -- although it was shortstop Andrew Romines error that got the big eighth inning going. I cant remember the last time he made an error at shortstop, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. This was an unfortunate one, but it doesnt change my mind on him as a shortstop. Although he had a 5.56 ERA in the first inning during the regular season, Tillman began his initial foray into the playoffs in impressive fashion by striking out the side on 14 pitches. Cruz hit an opposite-field drive to right in the bottom half after Nick Markakis hit a leadoff single. It was his 15th career post-season home run, tied with Babe Ruth for 10th place on the career list. Its just I like to enjoy this moment, you know, Cruz said. I think as a player, you want to be in the situation. And, you know, its no reason. The rollicking, towel-waving fans had barely settled down when Victor Martinez led off the second with a towering shot over the right-field wall. Four pitches later, J.D. Martinez hit a tying homer in his first post-season at-bat. Nick Markakis answered with an RBI single in the Baltimore half. At that point, six of 10 batters reached safely against Scherzer. After yielding the back-to-back homers, Tillman retired the next 11 batters before Romine singled with two outs in the fifth. Another single and a walk loaded the bases for Torii Hunter, who hit into a fielders choice on Tillmans 105th and final pitch. Afterward, Showalter saluted the crowd for their enthusiasm. If you dont get that, youre too cold for his game, he said. I wish I would have had a towel. TRAINERS ROOM Tigers: CF Rajai Davis (pelvic strain) was cleared to play after passing a series of drills early in the day before rosters were finalized. Davis started and batted ninth. UP NEXT Tigers: Verlander (15-12, 4.54 ERA) makes his 16th post-season start following what Ausmus called a down season overall for the 2011 Cy Young Award winner. Orioles: Chen (16-6, 3.54) seeks his first win since Sept. 15 after losing his final two starts in the regular season. Broncos Jerseys China .ca. In Sundays Blackhawks-Penguins game, Pittsburgh defenceman Brooks Orpik laid a huge hit on Chicagos Jonathan Toews. Now in my view, Orpik can be clearly seen leaving his feet while delivering a moderately high hit. Brian Dawkins Jersey . Robert Griffin III, the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft, set numerous rookie records and was picked AP Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Washington Redskins. http://www.cheapbroncosjerseysauthentic....immerman-jersey. But luckily for the Canadian squad, one goal was all it needed. Winnipegs Sophie Schmidt scored the winner off a Diana Matheson corner kick to seal Canadas third-place spot in the Torneio Internacional de Futebol Feminino in Brazil on Sunday. Tom Jackson Jersey . The San Angelo, Texas product, who was a high school and college quarterback sensation in the Lone Star State, will start his first CFL game with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-4) on Friday at Mosaic Stadium against the leagues top team, the Calgary Stampeders (11-2). Cheap Broncos Jerseys Authentic . The Raptors general manager has his list of possible draft selections whittled down to a handful ahead of Thursday nights NBA draft in Brooklyn, New York. The Raptors, who have auditioned dozens of players over the past couple of weeks, have the 20th overall pick in the first round, as well as the 37th and 58th picks in the second.Michael van Gerwen has taken a swipe at Phil Taylor by suggesting The Power has become obsessed with their rivalry. World No 1 Van Gerwen and Taylor played out a tense 6-6 draw on night seven of the Premier League and the pair then shared a lively post-match interview.Taylor issued a warning of Im coming for you and currently holds a two-point lead over second-placed Van Gerwen at the top of the table. Phil Taylor had a message for Michael van Gerwen after their Premier League draw in week seven Recent dazzling displays from Van Gerwen have sparked fresh debate about whether he can replace Taylor as the greatest player in the sport and the Dutchman has joked that he is dominating the thoughts of the 16-time world champion.Phil never used to do this and say things like that, Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. In every interview he is talking about me, so Im probably on his mind. Van Gerwen still hopes to snatch top spot from Taylor and can pick up two more points when he plays James Wade on Thursday night.Ive got things in my own hands, he said. I need to win by good leg differences to make up five or six legs and I think I can do tthat.dddddddddddd Sky Live: PL Darts Michael van Gerwen can book his play-off place on night 13 I feel good, so lets see what is going to happen.Mighty Mike will meet Taylor again on the closing night of the regular campaign in Rotterdam and expects the Stoke man to receive a hot reception. Van Gerwen talks about his season so far and his practice routines Its going to be a big night, said Van Gerwen. I always need to play against English players and now they have to come to Holland for a change.They need to travel before and also will have the crowd maybe against them. Its a huge thing for myself. I always gets good support when I play in Holland. 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