Bullpen Struggles As Tigers Fall To Indians, 9-3
LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer
DETROIT (AP) — Jason Kipnis hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer and Asdrubal Cabrera sent the next pitch over the right-field fence to cap a seven-run seventh inning and help the Cleveland Indians beat the Detroit Tigers 9-3 on Friday night.
Kipnis hit another home run, a solo shot, in the Indians' two-run ninth.
Trevor Bauer (4-4) gave up three runs on six hits over six innings.
Detroit's Anibal Sanchez (6-4) retired the first seven batters he faced and had a 3-0 lead. He ended up giving up four runs, six hits, walking one and striking out seven in an uneven performance.
The AL Central-leading Tigers won 17 of 23 games going into the All-Star break. Cleveland has won seven of its last 10 games.
The Indians chased Sanchez in the seventh when Nick Swisher hit a bases-loaded, two-run single with no outs. Al Alburquerque later entered the inning with two runners in scoring position and was working his way out of the jam with two strikeouts. He had a 1-2 count against Kipnis, whose fourth homer of the season gave Cleveland a 6-3 lead.
Indians reliever Scott Atchison got Austin Jackson to hit into an inning-ending double play in the seventh.
After both starters pitched two perfect innings, the Indians had a hit in the third and the Tigers had two and scored a run in the home half.
Detroit loaded the bases with one out and Bauer got out of the jam, allowing one run on Ian Kinsler's sacrifice fly and getting Miguel Cabrera to hit an inning-ending fly.
Torii Hunter hit an RBI double in the fourth, stole third and scored on catcher Yan Gomes' throwing error, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead. They potentially could have scored another run in the inning, but J.D. Martinez was thrown out at home trying to score from first base on Hunter's double.
The Tigers had designated hitter Victor Martinez in the lineup for the first time since July 4. He had been out with a strained lower right side, an ailment that led to him missing the All-Star game.
NOTES: Cleveland manager Terry Francona, a week after LeBron James announced he was coming home, was asked if he has bought Cavaliers tickets. "I'm in the process of it. There seems to be a little bit more of a waiting list now," he said. ... The Tigers have recalled OF Andy Dirks from his rehab assignment because he has some soreness where he had back surgery. ... Indians OF Michael Bourn, who is on the DL with a strained left hamstring, is expected to join the team for its next series that starts Monday at Minnesota. ... Miguel Cabrera stole his first base of the season in the sixth inning, and the 37th of his 12-year career. ... Cleveland recalled RHP Chen-Chang Lee from Triple A-Columbus, bolstering their bullpen. Lee fills the roster spot created when RHP Zach McAllister was optioned to Columbus, but McAllister is scheduled to pitch in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader in Detroit against RHP Max Scherzer. Detroit RHP Drew VerHagen is set to make his major league debut Saturday afternoon against Cleveland RHP Corey Kluber.
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