For six innings, it looked as if Edwin Jackson (or "Eddie," as they're suddenly calling him on Fox Sports Detroit) would once again be victimized by poor run support from his lineup. In another pitcher's duel between Tigers and Indians, neither offense could break through with a run.
That is, until the seventh, in which the Tigers were able to execute while the Indians weren't. And that was the difference in the ballgame. Curtis Granderson and Jeff Larish walked to lead off the inning. Brandon Inge moved them over with a sacrifice bunt. And then Gerald Laird put the ball in play, grounding to shortstop instead of popping up or striking out, and that drove in Grandy to put Detroit on the board. Ramon Santiago followed up with a RBI single to give Jackson all the lead he'd need.
Compare that to the Tribe's half of the seventh, when their first two batters got on base, as well. But rather than move the runners over, David Dellucci hit a soft line drive right to Inge, who then doubled Shin-Soo Choo off second base. Instead of Ryan Garko's fly ball to center possibly driving in a run, it was the third out of the inning.
This is exactly the type of stuff that happens when a team isn't playing well. Last year, it was Tigers fans suffering through it. But that pain has moved down I-80 to Cleveland this year.
Comment of the Night:
by BaroqueI’ve seen far too many zeroes the last couple games – I can’t help being greedy right now. :)