Player of the Game
For how well Chisenhall has been getting on base, Michael Brantley has been even better knocking them in. The generally light hitting left fielder has RBI in four of the last five games for eight total. Today, he knocked in half of those with two coming on a two out single and two more coming on a home run to right. His final POG score was 7.16.
Feathers Up
Milestone Alert: After a fielder’s choice in the sixth inning, Michael Bourn stole his 300th career base. Adding to that, Mike Aviles also stole two bases, keeping the Indians perfect on the bases through their first twelve attempts. Michael Bourn ended the streak was caught stealing to end the eighth.
Lonnie Chisenhall continued his hot hitting today, going 4-4 from the nine spot. His effectiveness was limited, however, by a lack of offense in front of him and three Bourn fielder’s choices removing him from the base paths. This was the first four hit game of his career and his hitting streak was extended to eight games.
For the second game in a row, the Tigers defense gave the Indians plenty of chances and the Indians took advantage, pushing across three unearned runs against Justin Verlander. In the fourth, a throwing error by Verlander allowed Asdrubal Cabrera to take two bases on a bunt single and he scored on a David Murphy single. The next inning, Mike Aviles was safe on a Nick Castellanos error and scored, along with Bourn, on a Michael Brantley single.
Feathers Down
Danny Salazar started the game off stronger than last time out, forgoing the strike outs for short at bats, keeping his pitch count low and the Tigers off the bases. He was perfect through the first three innings and allowed just a single run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly. Things fell apart in the fifth again, however, as he gave up four runs, including a three run Ian Kinsler home run after walking the first two to start the inning. For the second time in a row he was unable to make it through the fifth as he was relieved by C.C. Lee with two outs in that inning.
Jason Kipnis was ejected from the game for the first time in his career, making him the first Indian to get ejected in 2014 as well. He was thrown out very quickly after striking out with the bases loaded and two outs in the third inning. Kipnis struck out swinging, but was complaining about a pitch that was called a strike earlier in the at bat.
The Indians themselves weren’t immune to the error as they committed two, both leading to runs. In the sixth, C.C. Lee threw a pick off attempt past Nick Swisher at first, allowing Rajai Davis to go to third, where he scored on an Ian Kinsler single. Later, in the eighth, Yan Gomes overthrew second on an attempted steal, allowing Andrew Romine to take third, after which he scored on a Davis infield single.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 5 – Detroit Tigers 7
On Deck: The Tribe will bring it home to take on the Blue Jays for three, starting Friday at 7:05 PM.
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