Indians 7, Tigers 3: Justin Verlander struggles in defeat

For a moment early, it looked as if the Tigers would have a chance to extend their winning streak. Instead, J.D. Martinez was called out at the plate upon review to end the top half of the first inning, and Justin Verlander couldn't stay out of trouble in the bottom half. The game only got worse from there, ending in a 7-3 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Indians.

The Tigers' win streak ended at five. They have now lost all four games they've played against the Indians.

Verlander got into trouble early and often in the first inning, walking the second batter he saw and allowing the next to single. By the end of the inning, Verlander had thrown 38 pitches and Cleveland led 3-0. They tacked on another run in the third on more hard-hit balls, and another three when Francisco Lindor homered in the fifth. Verlander's day finished at eight hits and three walks allowed, all seven runs earned and just two strikeouts.

This ties for Verlander's worst start of the year; he gave up seven runs on 10 hits on April 11, not making it out of the fifth inning in the process. His ERA climbed to 6.49. This is not good.

Meanwhile the Tigers had opportunities but couldn't take advantage. Ian Kinsler, Miguel Cabrera and Nick Castellanos each had multi-hit games. Kinsler hit a two-run homer, with Castellanos driving in a run with an RBI single in the eighth.

In the first inning, J.D. Martinez was called safe by the home plate umpire when he initially appeared to just beat Marlon Byrd's throw home, but reviews showed -- and the replay umpire in New York agreed -- that his front foot was in the air as it crossed the plate and the tag was applied.

ROARS:

Ian Kinsler: Cut the Tigers' deficit to half with a two-run home run in the fifth.

Nick Castellanos: Two hits, one RBI

HISSES:

Justin Verlander: By the end of the first inning the Tigers had just a 20 percent chance of winning the game. 7 runs allowed. In 5 innings.

J.D. Martinez: Getting thrown out at the plate wasn't Martinez's fault. Going 1-for-5 with three strikeouts, however, gave the Tigers a speedbump near the top of the lineup that they could not overcome.

STREAKS AND STATS:

• The Tigers' win streak ended at five.
• Justin Verlander has allowed seven home runs on the year.
• This was Verlander's 20th career loss to the Tribe and 100th career loss.

WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH:

Source: FanGraphs