Nellie Cruz is Texas' X-Factor

Texas' Cruz has been the big bat in their lineup in the ALCS. Nellie Cruz has hit four homers and nine runs batted in. In game one Cruz hit a solo home-run to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead, before the game was delayed by rain in Arlington. That solo shot proved to be the game winning hit, beating the Tigers 3-2.

In game two of the ALCS the battle between the Rangers and Tigers continued. Just like game one of the ALCS, runs were hard to come by. The Tigers had a 3-2 lead going to the bottom of the seventh inning when Cruz hit a solo homer to tie the game 3-3. Both the Rangers and Tigers pitching staffs were virtually unhittable or great defensive plays to keep the score tied. When both teams had a chance to score they could not deliver the clutch hit. In the bottom of the eleventh inning the Rangers had the bases loaded, when Nellie Cruz stepped up to the plate. Nellie delivered the "CRUSHING" blow to the Tigers, when he hit a walk-off grandslam to beat the Tigers 7-3.

"Rangers' Cruz set major league baseball history, by being the first player to hit a walk-off grandslam in postseason play."

The Rangers had a 2-0 lead in the ALCS, going into game three. The Tigers brought out their heavy bats with Martinez, Cabrera, and Peralta going long to open up the game at 5-1. The Rangers could not seem to figure out Detroits' pitcher Doug Fister. When the Rangers did get base hits off of Fister, they were eye seeing singles hit softly. The Rangers managed to add on another run in the eighth inning, but went on to lose 5-2. Suddenly the momentum seemed to change, since the Rangers have not played well in Comerica Park.

With the Tigers cutting into the Rangers ALCS lead 2-1, many skeptics felt like the momentum was on the Tigers side even though they were behind in the series. Skeptics said, even though Texas has the lead in the series they must win game four, so they would not have to face Justin Verlander with the series tied 2-2. If the Rangers lose they could be going back home trailing 3-2.

Like game one of the ALCS, the fans found themselves sitting in a rain delay. The game did not start until 5:30 pm (EST). Game four was another tense battle. The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the third inning, when Miguel Cabrera hit a two run double. The Rangers came back in the sixth inning, when David Murphy singled to left field, then Ian Kinsler doubled to left field scoring David Murphy. Ian Kinsler steals third base, while Elvis Andrus was at the plate. Andrus, then hits a line drive single to center field, to score Ian Kinsler to tie the score 2-2. Detroits' pitcher Rick Porcello tried to pick-off Elvis Andrus at first base, but made a bad throw. Andrus moved to second base, on the bad throw. Michael Young was at the plate, who has not had an rbi in postseason play this season. He delivered a single to center field to give the Rangers the lead 3-2. Detroit tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, when Brandon Inge hits a solo shot off Alexi Ogando in left field.

The battle continued when both the Rangers and Tigers could not score, when they had scoring opportunities to take the lead in the game. The Rangers had the bases loaded in the eighth inning and could not score. Rangers' manager Ron Washington took a gamble in the bottom of the eighth inning, by intentionally walking Miguel Cabrera, then Victor Martinez hit a single to right field. With Victor Martinez on first base and Miguel Cabrera on third base, with one out. Delmon Young hit a fly ball to right fielder Nellie Cruz, who threw to Mike Napoli to tag Miguel Cabrera at the plate for a double play.

In the Rangers eleventh inning Josh Hamilton hit the first pitch he saw from Jose Valverde to right field for a double, then Adrian Beltre was intentionally walked. Mike Napoli delivered a single to center field, to score Josh Hamilton to take a 4-3 lead on the Tigers. Nellie Cruz stepped up to the plate with Adrian Beltre on second base and Mike Napoli on first base, he delivered his eleventh inning magic again by hitting a three run homer to give the Rangers a 7-3 lead. The Rangers' Neftali Feliz closed out the game getting the Tigers out in order, to take a 3-1 lead in the ALCS.

"If game four holds true, then the Rangers are going to be back-to-back American League Champions and going to back-to-back World Series."

What a series so far for Nellie Cruz, not only with his offensive "BOOMSTICK," but his defensive play as well. If Texas defeats the Tigers today to win the American League Pennant, you know who the MVP of the ALCS is.

               "NELLIE (BOOMSTICK) CRUZ"