Detroit Tigers Series

Well it was quite a weekend for the Indians, as they managed to take 2 of 3 from the Tigers this weekend, and are now tied for first place in the AL Central Division standings with Detroit.

Friday, May 10

Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers

Tigers, 10            Indians, 4

WP: Scherzer (5-0)
LP: Kluber (2-2)

The starting pitching that had been so consistent seemed to disappear on Friday night, as Corey Kluber served up 8 earned runs on 11 hits, as well as serving up home runs to both Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder.  The Indians never recovered, and managed four runs.

Saturday, May 11

Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers

Indians, 7             Tigers, 6

WP: Jimenez (3-2)
LP: Verlander (4-3)

Ubaldo Jimenez continued his great pitching performances, as he held the Tigers to one run on three hits over six innings.

Ubaldo Jimenez looked solid once again in his
third straight start. 

The Indians offense exploded off of Verlander, as Nick Swisher has been swinging a hot bat along with Jason Kipnis.  They struck for four runs and bounced Verlander in the third, while picking up three more against the Tigers bullpen, which proved to be beneficial.  Once the bullpen took over, who has been so solid the entire year, looked the worst they have all year.  Nick Hagadone came in and walked three in a row, and the Tigers climbed to within one run, making it 6-5. Jason Giambi provided the big sac fly making it 7-5, and in the ninth, Chris Perez gave up another run after a Nick Swisher error, but held onto get Miguel Cabrera to weakly tap out to Mike Aviles for a 7-6 victory. 

Jason Giambi has done his part this
year off the bench

Sunday, May 12

Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers

Cleveland, 4            Tigers, 3             F/10

WP: Smith (1-0)

LP: Downs (0-1)

The Cleveland Indians never lead until the top of the 10th, when a clutch pieces of two out hitting by Michael Brantley and Mark Reynolds helped the Tribe win the series in Detroit. Zach McAllister and Rick Porcello both pitched well today, keeping both their teams in the ball game.  A 2 run home run by Brayan Pena and and a two run double by Jason Kipnis kept the came tied until the Tigers got a sac fly from Omar Infante.  Lonnie Chisenhall had a throwing error which lead to the run being scored. 

In the ninth, Michael Bourn led off the inning with a pinch hit walk, and stole second.  Jason Giambi walked on a 3-2 pitch with two outs, and then Michael Brantley drove in the tying run, making it 3-3. 

Bourn brings the kind of lead off man the Indians
haven't had since Kenny Lofton

Joe Smith worked a scoreless ninth for the Indians, and then in the 10th, Mark Reynolds delivered a two out pinch hit RBI single, plating Carlos Santana who was intentionally walked, Indians taking a 4-3 lead. 

Mark Reynolds has been providing some kind of offense
for the Indians this year. 

In the bottom of the 10th, lefty Rich Hill and Cody Allen, not Chris Perez combined for the 10th inning one, two, three, and Cody Allen received his first save, and the Indians head back to Cleveland for a double header with the Yankees after a series win. 

Let's hope the Tribe can keep this up!