Miguel Cabrera: Indian Killer
It was a 1-0 Detroit lead after two innings, and Trevor Bauer, despite laboring, had kept the powerful Detroit lineup in check. That is until the 5th when Miguel Cabrera saw a pitch that caught just enough of the plate. Then with one swing of the bat, he broke the Tribe's back with a three-run bomb to make it 4-0. As much as Cabrera likes to talk, he can back it up, especially against the Indians. The home run helped Cabrera break out of a slump, as he entered this game with a weak .133 average. Cabrera's teammate Alex Avila followed suit in the 6th with a two-run shot of his own to make it 6-0.
Tribe Rally
For much of the time after that, the Indians looked like they were going to be shut out. But that possibility ended after the Tribe scratched across a run in the bottom of the 8th to make it a 6-1 ballgame. The Tigers countered with a run of their own in the top of the 9th to make it a 7-1 score. The stage was now set for Chisenhall's return.
Lonnie's Monster Slam
Detroit closer Francisco Rodriguez looked like he was going to escape the 9th relatively unharmed. The Tigers held a 7-2 lead, and they only needed one more out to end the game. The Tigers eventually did get that last out and beat the Tribe. But not before Lonnie Chisenhall took K-Rod for one heck of a ride! With the bases loaded, and Lonnie up as a pinch hitter, Rodriguez unleashed the 0-1 pitch, but it was squarely in the middle of the strike zone, and right on top of the plate. And man, oh man did Lonnie make him pay for it. Chisenhall hammered the pitch deep to right, and just like that, Cleveland had turned an ugly 6-0 deficit into a more respectable 7-6 loss. It's good that the Indians rallied from that far down. This proves that the lineup has some pop, but they need to be more consistent earlier in the game to have a better chance to win. What a return for Lonnie!
Pitching Performances
Detroit southpaw Daniel Norris looked solid against the Indians, pitching a six-inning shutout while only allowing a pair of hits, striking out five and walking four. I thought the four walks would come back to haunt Norris, but he managed to work around them, and earn the win, his first of the year. Tribe starter Trevor Bauer didn't have such a good night. He gave up six earned runs on eight hits in five innings of work, while fanning six and walking two. His start would have been solid, were it not for the pair of home runs he gave up. But at the end of the day, that was the difference in the ballgame. He'll have to go back to the drawing board and come back stronger his next start. Bauer is now 0-2 on the season with an 8.44 ERA.
What's Next?
The Indians will aim to tie up the series in a battle of classic aces, as Corey Kluber faces off against Justin Verlander. First pitch is set for 4:10 PM on Fox Sports 1.
WP: Daniel Norris (1-0)
LP : Trevor Bauer (0-2)
SV: Francisco Rodriguez (4)
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