CLEVELAND, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Detroit ace Justin Verlander pitched the visiting Tigers to a narrow 4-3 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday to pad their lead in the American League Central.
The win extends the Tigers' lead over the Indians to three games. It also halts the Indians' dominance of Detroit at home, having won the previous 13 games in Cleveland. Verlander earned the 100th victory of his career allowing three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out 10 in seven innings.
Detroit scored a run in the first inning aided by a throwing error that allowed Austin Jackson to reach base safely and later score on sacrifice fly. Detroit stretched the lead to 4-0 in the second inning with a suicide squeeze by Jackson that allowed Alex Avila to score. Carlos Santana started the Indians offense with a solo home run in the second inning. Two walks in the third inning by Verlander proved costly when Asdrubal Cabrera drove both runners in with a double to trim the Tigers lead to 4-3.
Verlander then shut down the Indians before giving way to Joaquin Benoit who pitched a perfect eighth inning and Jose Valverde, who pitched the ninth for his 33rd save of the season.
Fausto Carmona took the loss for Cleveland allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out six.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire