BY BEN WALKER AP Baseball Writer American News

10:09 p.m. AKDT, October 25, 2012

 Pence led off with a single and Fister departed, getting lots of hugs in the dugout. Rookie reliever Drew Smyly walked Brandon Belt on a full-count pitch and Blanco’s bunt loaded the bases.

 The Tigers kept their infield back up the middle, and had no play at the plate on Crawford’s bouncer.

 ‘‘We felt like we played double-play depth because we felt like we couldn’t give them two runs. That’s why we did that, and we got the double play,’’ Leyland said.

 ‘‘To be honest with you, we were absolutely thrilled to come out of that inning with one run. Absolutely thrilled. I mean, we had to score anyway.’’

 Pence added the insurance run the next inning with his flyball off Octavio Dotel.

 ‘‘We played good small ball today,’’ Pence said. ‘‘We played a great game of baseball, had outstanding pitching and great defense and we found a way to get it done.’’

 Fielder and the Tigers came up inches short of taking an early lead, the result of yet another alert play by second baseman Marco Scutaro and a dubious decision by third base coach Gene Lamont.

 Fielder was hit by a pitch to lead off the second, Delmon Young followed with a double and when the ball rattled around in left field, Lamont waved the burly slugger home. Even with no outs, Lamont sent him.

 ‘‘I think Gene just got a little overaggressive,’’ Leyland said.

 Scutaro, in the middle of every big play for the Giants this month, dashed across the diamond, caught Blanco’s relay and unleashed a strong throw to the plate. All-Star catcher Buster Posey made a swipe tag to Fielder’s backside, just as the Tigers star slid home. Umpire Dan Iassogna had a clear look and made a demonstrative call -- out!

 Fielder immediately popped up from his slide and pleaded his case with two hands, saying he didn’t feel the tag. Leyland rushed out and pointed to the plate. At second base, Young yelled, ‘‘No!’’

 But even if there was replay review, it wouldn’t have helped the Tigers. Because TV replays showed Iassogna, working his first plate job in a World Series, got it right.

 There was no dispute that Fister somehow avoided a serious injury moments later.

 Among those who winced was Oakland pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who sustained a skull fracture and brain contusion after being hit by a line drive last month.

 ‘‘I’m not watching but did just see the replay. Certainly hope he’s OK,’’ McCarthy tweeted.

|WORLD SERIES|

|GAME 2|

            Detroit…000 000 000--0 2 0
            San Francisco…000 000 11x--2 50
 Fister, Smyly (7), Dotel (8), Coke (8) and G.Laird; Bumgarner, S.Casilla (8), Romo (9) and Posey. W--Bumgarner 1-0. L--Fister 0-1. Sv--Romo (1).