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The Detroit Tigers finished off their 10-game homestand with a flourish today, beating the Cleveland Indians 8-6 despite a significant disadvantage in the starting pitching matchup. The Tigers battered Tribe starter Carlos Carrasco for five runs on nine hits in just 4 1/3 innings, his shortest non-injury-related start since August 14, 2013. The Tigers offense ended the day with eight runs on 13 hits.
Miguel Cabrera led the way for the Tigers, collecting three hits in four at-bats while driving in three runs. Cabrera homered to right field in the sixth inning (his third of the season) and added a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Cabrera also made a couple of solid defensive plays, including throwing out Ryan Raburn in a crucial situation in the fourth inning.
Kyle Lobstein got the win today after throwing seven strong innings. He limited the Indians to three runs on six hits, striking out four while walking two. It was Lobstein's second consecutive quality start and his second victory over the Tribe this season. He only threw 86 pitches and held the Indians' top three batters hitless in 10 plate appearances.
Rajai Davis reached base five times today, though one instance nearly ended in a triple play. Davis tripled to lead off the bottom of the first, and was quickly plated by Kinsler to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Davis would score two more times on the afternoon, giving him six runs in the past two games. He also made a nice sliding catch in the outfield. The only drawback to his afternoon was that he left the game after injuring his groin in the eighth inning.
Ian Kinsler added a pair of hits for the Tigers today, including an RBI single that opened the scoring in the first inning. He reached base three times today and scored twice, giving him four hits and three runs scored in the past two games.
Game 18 Player of the Game
Alfredo Simon won his third Player of the Game poll in as many starts, earning 49 percent of the vote after yesterday's 4-1 win over the Tribe. Simon pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed just one run, picking up his fourth win of the year.