Tigers Fans Breathe Sigh of Relief, Then Celebrate

The sidewalk outside  suddenly became crowded as nearly a dozen Detroit Tigers fans exited the bar at the end of the seventh inning of Thursday night's game against the New York Yankees.

"It's nerve-wracking," Drew Harvill, of Clawson said while taking a drag from his cigarette. "We're all like Jim Leyland right now."

Tigers pitcher Joaquin Benoit ended the inning by throwing his way out of a bases-loaded situation that had diminished the Tigers' lead to one run.

"I just had three heart attacks," Jim Colovos, of Clinton Township, said.

Inside the bar, Tigers fans were reluctant to celebrate too early, as a loss would end their team's season and hopes of advancing to the ALCS against the Texas Rangers.

I'm having a heart attack," said Allison Miska, of Troy, who works as a suite coordinator for the Detroit Tigers. "My financial well being is lingering in every pitch."

But the suspense was shortlived. The Tigers pulled out a 3-2 victory, ending the New York Yankees' season and pushing Detroit to the next round of postseason play.

"I'm so excited! That was great, to beat the Yankees in New York –beautiful," said Rich Sanchez, of Tecumseh, Ontario. "I've been a Tigers fan since forever."

Sanchez, who formerly lived in Detroit, watched the game with his wife, Elaine, at Joe Kool's.

"This feels so great! To beat the Yankees on their own turf," he said.