CLEVELAND — Thanks to a three-run home run by Alex Avila in the top of the ninth off of reliever Chris Perez, the (65-45) Detroit Tigers would continue their mastery over the (62-50) Cleveland Indians, 4-2.
Detroit, who would overcome two-out clutch hits from Jason Giambi, Carlos Santana, a critical base-running error by Austin Jackson and solid pitching from Corey Kluber would rally to extend their lead over Cleveland to four games and improve to 10-3 vs the Indians in 2013.
With a strong and determined defense behind him, Kluber would go 7.1 innings, give up six hits, strike out six and surrender one walk in 105 pitches.
In an atmosphere that sounded like the old Jake in the Indians’ 1990-heydays, Cleveland would hold the Tigers to eight hits, while getting timely hits from Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez.
Sanchez would go 7.2 innings, give up two runs, four hits, surrender two walks and strike out 11.
Cleveland would strike first on a two-out single by the 42-year-old Giambi, which would score Michael Brantley from second. The Indians would score their second run on a Carlos Santana double to deep right, which would also bring in Brantley.
Detroit would score their first run on a Victor Martinez single to left in the top of the ninth, which would bring in Prince Fielder—who doubled—from second off of Perez.
Avila would complete the four-run ninth-inning comeback with a three-run home run off of the oft-maligned Indians closer and silence the vocal crowd.
Thanks to a pass ball from reliever Cody Allen, Jackson would reach first base, after Cleveland would intentionally walk Miguel Cabrera and give way to newly-acquired lefty Marc Rzepczynski, Fielder would ground out—who would bat for the second time in the Tigers half of the ninth.
Newly acquired Joaquin Benoit would come on to save the gave for the Tigers.
Robert D. Cobb is the Founder/CEO/Senior Editor-In-Chief Of The Inscriber : Digital Magazine, for questions, comments and concerns email me at [email protected] follow me on Twitter @RC_TheInscriber and follow The Inscriber : Digital Magazine on Twitter at @TheInscriber
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
