Things weren’t looking good for the Tigers. This was a pitcher’s dual but going into the 9th inning the Indians had managed to scratch out 2 runs against Anibal Sanchez and led the first game of this crucial, 4 game, series 2-1.
The Tigers had some base runners in the first two innings but couldn’t push across any runs. From then on, they were dominated by Indians starter Corey Kluber. Kluber pitched 7 and 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing 6 hits, striking out 6 and walking one. He was ahead of Tigers hitters all night.
The Tigers ran themselves out an inning in the 8th when Austin Jackson got thrown out at second. After Torii Hunter singled, Ramon Santiago was held at third by Tom Brookens. Apparently, Jackson didn’t see Santiago getting held up and rounded second. Right fielder, Drew Stubbs threw behind Jackson and instead of the bases loaded with 1 out, the Tigers had runners and first and third with two out. Miggy grounded to second to end the inning.
The Indians brought in closer Chris Perez to pitch the 9th and the Tigers pounded him. He gave up all four Tiger runs and didn’t record an out. The big hit was a three-run homer off of the bat of Alex “A Squared Money” Avila. Alex has had a tough year at the plate but he’s had some big hits. None bigger, at this point, than this homer.
Anibal Sanchez pitched well today. He went 7 and 2/3, gave up 2 earned on 4 hits, struck out 11 and walked two. Although he didn’t get the win, it is fantastic that this performance wasn’t wasted.
The Indians Jason Kipnis was flashin leather tonight. He robbed Dirks and Iggy of base hits.
Coincidentally, it was a year ago to the day, August 5th, 2012, that Indians closer, Chris Perez, had a meltdown in a Sunday, afternoon, game at Comerica Park. Last year, Miggy hit a big home run off of him. Tonight, it was A Squared Money! Perhaps he should take the 5th of August off in the future.
IMHO, Miggy looks like he’s still not 100%. It might be a good idea to put him on the 15 day DL and get him nice and healthy for the final stretch? I’m not sayin’. I’m just sayin’,
JV is on the hill tomorrow. Tomorrow would be a nice time for him to return to his form of the last two years.
“God, I love baseball.” – Roy Hobbs | The Natural
Flashin' Leather 
A game for the ages. Avila is starting to look like another Tiger that always had a flair for the dramatic, even though he was not a great hitter – Kirk Gibson.
Tuesday would be a great time for JV of old to show up. The back end of this series is in great hands with Fister and Scherzer.
WE NEED A BIG GAME FROM JV. PERIOD!!!
As great as that game was……..we should look at a couple things in the light of day (1) Cabby is hurt…period. The Tribe is going to push balls down the line and run. As much as everyone wants this series you don’t risk the best hitter in the game with 50 games left. (2) The Tribe is gonna run like Jo Jo Gun. Their first run came from a stolen base and I am afraid they are gonna keep running until we stop them. We need to see a pick off from JV…pitch out anything cause they will hurt us with their legs. Did I miss something? Should “Windmill” Brookens have held that runner with that score? This should be some great baseball the Tribe is pulling 210 all star pitcher Ubaldo Jiminez for “lighting in a bottle” prospect Salazar (whom no one has seen) ya think Tito believes this is all or nothing? They only had 28k in the stands last night Masterson is a 13 game winner if we can get to him tonight oh boy……..this is gonna be fun!
Nebraska, I was thinking the same thing about Windmill Brookens!!! At first I was pissed at Jackson and he is culpable, but WTF? Why didn’t Brookens send Santiago? The score was 2-0, top of the 8th, and the offense had done nothing. How many more opportunities did WIndmill think were were going to get. Perhaps he thought, well Miggy is coming up. I’m not sure. I don’t get it!!!!
Not pleased with the lack of offense, but it is crucial to win some low scoring games. This makes 4 in a row. I keep remembering in 2006 the tigers won about 20 games where they scored 3 runs or less.
Good point. And up until this last stretch, the Tigers weren’t that good in one run game, I think.