Tigers fans worst nightmares came true Wednesday night, as Barry Zito out-dueled Justin Verlander and Pablo Sandoval launched three home runs to lead the Giants to an 8-3 victory in Game 1 of the World Series. After three stellar starts in the early rounds of the postseason -- three victories and a 0.74 earned-run average -- Verlander lasted just four innings Wednesday night.

As shocking as the loss was, Al Beaton of Bless You Boys instructs Tigers fans not to throw in the towel yet, but instead to try to maintain a bit of perspective:

Well, that game blew, sucked and...well, it was a night full of unmentionable words.

Let's keep it in perspective. It was only 1 game. A brutal game, an ugly game, a game we all want to forget, but it was just 1 game. And that 1 game doesn't a World Series victor make.

So what if Barry Zito pitched like a 1987 vintage Frank Tanana and Justin Verlander looked like the rookie who was rocked in the 2006 World Series instead of the reigning Cy Young winner

Just because you lose Game 1 doesn't make a Game 2 loss fait accompli.

Far from it.

Doug Fister will take the mound for the Tigers on Thursday night to try to right the ship for Detroit. The Tigers offense will have their hands full taking on Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner.

Game 2 is scheduled for an 8:07 p.m. ET start time Thursday night on FOX.