Tigers 7, Indians 3: Detroit dominance continues at Progressive Field

A six-run fifth inning broke a 1-1 tie into a 7-1 rout, and the Tigers won their ninth game in 11 meetings with the Indians this season. The 7-3 victory was the Tigers' fifth win in as many games at Progressive Field this season, and their 20th in their last 25 games in Cleveland.

Andrew Romine, who made his fourth consecutive start, got the Tigers on the board in the top of the third inning. Romine hit a solo home run to right field off of Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. The Indians tied the score in the bottom of the inning off of a sacrifice fly from rookie Francisco Lindor. Roberto Perez doubled to lead off the inning then advanced to third on an infield single from Jason Kipnis. After Lindor's sacrifice fly, Michael Brantley hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat.

David Price got into another jam in the bottom of the fourth inning. A leadoff double by Ryan Raburn and a single by Mike Aviles put runners at the corners with one out, and Price was fortunate to escape the jam unscathed. Price froze Brandon Moss with a 3-2 breaking ball for a called third strike, though the pitch looked to be off the plate inside. With two outs, Anthony Gose ran down a deep fly ball off the bat of Giovanny Urshela to end the inning.

The escape proved costly for the Indians, as the Tigers broke the game open in the top of the fifth. Romine doubled to left to lead off the inning, then Salazar loaded the bases with a pair of one-out walks. Indians manager Terry Francona and pitching coach Mickey Callaway were both ejected by home plate umpire Eric Cooper after Callaway visited the mound, and things only got worse for Cleveland from there. Miguel Cabrera reached base on an error by Salazar, scoring Romine. Victor Martinez then hit a bloop single, scoring Rajai Davis. Yoenis Cespedes followed with a two-run single, chasing Salazar to the showers. Nick Castellanos added an exclamation point with a line drive double to right off reliever Zach McAllister, stretching the Tigers' lead to 7-1.

Though he did not walk a batter, Price seemed to struggle with his command more than usual tonight. He gave up nine hits in 6 2/3 innings, and only worked two 1-2-3 innings. Price left the game with two outs in the seventh inning after allowing a double to Jason Kipnis. Al Alburquerque induced a flyout from Lindor, stranded a pair of runners. Price took home his seventh win of the season.

ROARS:

Andrew Romine: His solo home run led off the scoring for the Tigers, and he doubled to start the six-run rally in the fifth inning. Romine now has five hits and four runs scored in the last four games.

Victor Martinez: A healthy V-Mart is proving to be a serious difference maker for this Tigers lineup. Martinez had two hits, including a double off the wall in right-center, and an RBI. The Tigers have scored 27 runs in their last three games, and Victor has seven hits in five games since coming off the disabled list.

(•_•) <) )╯Healthy / \ \(•_•) ( (> Victor / \ (•_•) <) )> Martinez / \

— Bless You Boys (@blessyouboys) June 24, 2015

Miguel Cabrera: His two hits were one thing, but Cabrera's generous gift to a young Indians fan in the sixth inning is bigger than a random baseball game in June.

HISSES:

All hisses are currently stuck in New York.

STREAKS AND STATS:

• Andrew Romine's home run in the third inning was the fourth of his career, but his second in the past three games. His last home run as a left-handed batter came on May 23, 2014, the first home run of his MLB career.
• Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-5 and reached base on an error in the fifth inning. His batting average against the Indians this season went down.

WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH:

Source: FanGraphs