V-Mart fine after cramping up in ninth inning
Catcher removed for pinch-runner in one-run game in Tigers' last at-bat
DETROIT -- The Tigers couldn't grab a win in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday against the Red Sox, and they dodged a big blow to their lineup.
Victor Martinez grabbed his left quad after hitting a one-out single in the ninth inning before gingerly walking off the field for a pinch-runner.
While there was some concern about the severity because Martinez missed the entire 2012 season due to microfracture surgery on his left knee, he brushed it off.
"Just a little cramp. but that was it," Martinez said. "Anyway, I was going to get a pinch-runner, so not a big deal."
Martinez has been one of the top hitters in the Tigers lineup, going 2-for-4 in Game 3 on Tuesday, and improving to 13-for-31 (.419) with five extra-base hits and three RBIs in the postseason.