Indians 5, Tigers 2: The Tigers got Kluber’d

Life Post-Verlander: Day Two

Things are grim.

Verlander is gone. Justin Upton is gone. Victor Martinez is out for the season. Michael Fulmer may miss the rest, depending on surgery. This is not where we expected to be at the end of March, with the season ahead of us, full of promise. It’s a stark reminder that the baseball gods are fickle and often cruel.

The Tigers squared off against the Indians, and with Corey Kluber on the mound it wasn’t likely to go well for Detroit. The Indians, owning the division, are on a roll, and the Tigers would not be the team to slow them down.

Zimmermann’s day, in spite of the five runs he gave up — four of which came in the first inning — wasn’t catastrophic and he went several innings after the first keeping the Indians from extending their lead. His final line was 5IP, 12 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR. Okay, so, it’s not a great line. But the damage could have been a lot worse, especially considering the 12 hits he gave up.

Myles Jaye then came on in relief in the sixth, making his major league debut. He looked good, which is almost a shame, because his parents stayed home to watch football instead of coming to watch his debut. Jaye gave up a mere two hits through 3.1 innings work.

Daniel Stumpf replaced Jaye in the ninth inning, hoping to claim the last three batters if the night for the Indians and give the Tigers a chance to stage a comeback.

Bryan Shaw came on for the Indians in the ninth. The Tigers managed to show some hustle with Mahtook reaching, then Jeimer Candelario with a base hit that was called an out but subsequently overturned after a challenge. Shaw was replaced by Cody Allen for the final out of the game. Iglesias rose to the challenge, with an RBI single. Suddenly the Tigers were only one home run away from tying the game. Alas, Kinsler was unable to make it happen and the Indians got the win.

ROARS:

Alex Presley - who seemed to be the only player who could consistently get hits off Kluber, though none of them turned into runs. He did net a four-hit game though.

Bryan Holaday - scored the Tigers’ first run of the night, which was helped in part by an overturned call that saw Mikie Mahtook returned to base, who would ultimately get the run. He ended 16 consecutive scoreless innings for the Tigers.

HISSES:

Zimmermann - not catastrophic still isn’t good.

This video, which came out during the game:

STREAKS & INFO: