Big Papi vs. Papa Grande: Valverde Saves Tigers in Victory Over Boston

It was a battle of the Big Daddies on Friday night at Fenway Park in Boston.

Detroit's animated closer Jose Valverde, or Papa Grande as he's known to Tigers fans, went head-to-head with Red Sox heavy-hitter David Ortiz, who is known as Big Papi in Beantown.

Down 6-1, Ortiz cut Boston's five-run deficit with one swing with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning. Detroit was desperately clinging to its 6-5 lead, and Tigers fans around the country collectively sighed.

But Tigers manager Jim Leyland didn't pull Valverde, who has 22 saves and 50 strikeouts this season. Leyland let Valverde work himself out his his Todd Jones roller coaster-esque moment.

And it proved to be the smart move, but it wasn't pretty by any means.

The bags were full again in the ninth, this time for Boston's 15-year veteran center fielder Mike Cameron.

Cameron found himself in a favorable 3-1 count with two outs, and was swinging for the fences. After fouling off two straight pitches, Cameron was frozen by Valverde's splitter at the knees. Detroit squeaked by with a 6-5 victory.

As usual, Valverde celebrated his team's triumph, this time in a rubber-pounding frenzy. The win marked the Tigers' first since their 6-5 effort over the Toronto Blue Jays on July 25. Detroit is now 4-6 in its last 10 games, and will face the Red Sox at 4:10 p.m. Saturday.

For those who opposed the deal which sent Single-A West Michigan White Caps pitcher Giovanni Soto to the Cleveland Indians for nine-year veteran Jhonny Peralta, you may want to reconsider.

For the first time since Billy McMillon in 2000, a Tiger hit two home runs in his debut.

During his post-game interview, Peralta said he was happy to have contributed so early. He was 3-for-4 with three RBI.

Rookie sensation Brennan Boesch's recent lack of hitting has raised concerns. Boesch went 1-for-5 with a single of John Lester, but has dipped below .300 for the first time in his young big-league career. He now sits at .299.

Toledo Mud Hens call-up Will Rhymes has impressed with the valiant effort he has given the big club so far. The scrappy Rhymes was aggressive on the base paths, and went 2-for-5.