Blown call? Robinson Cano appears safe at first (video)

The New York Yankees loaded the bases in each of the first two innings of their American League Championship Series opener but nothing to show for it except a pair of bang-bang, inning-ending groundouts.

After Alex Rodriguez grounded into a force out at second to end the first on a play television replays showed was just in time, Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta made an even better play to nip Robinson Cano to end the second. Although this time … the slow-motion replay suggested Cano may have beaten the throw.

After a single by Russell Martin, a single by Derek Jeter (his 200th career postseason hit) and an infield single by Ichiro Suzuki, Cano hit a hot shot back up the middle that hit Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister's wrist and caromed to Peralta. A barehanded grab and throw to first just beat the runner, according to first base umpire Rob Drake.

Fister went back out to the mound to start the third inning, although left-hander Drew Smyly was warming up in the bullpen.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland came out to talk to home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg before the bottom of the third as if to alert him of a possible pitching change. However, Fister stayed in the game and after a leadoff single, got Alex Rodriguez to ground into an inning-ending double play.

So much for the crowd being behind A-Rod. The cheers that welcomed him during pregame introductions and during his first at-bat turned to boos after he went 0-for-3 at the plate in Game 1.