Cleveland Indians lose yet another series to Detroit Tigers

Indians 1, Tigers 8

box score

Indians fall to 29-33

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After all the excitement on Sunday morning, it was something of an anti-climax that Francisco Lindor wasn't in the line-up. Apparently, he didn't arrive in time to be named in the initial nine, and Tito then decided not to rush him into starting the game at the last minute.

A slow start by Corey Kluber was punished mercilessly, as Anthony Gose walked on four pitches, stole second and was then blooped home by Ian Kinsler. Kluber settled down after that until, yet again, Miggy wielded his mighty sword against the Indians. His solo HR crush in the 4th put the Tigers ahead 2-0.

Meanwhile, as usual, the Tribe struggled to provide any run support for Kluber, as they couldn't get much going against Alfredo Simon, who conceded just three singles (to Kipnis, Moss and Urshela). Their best scoring opportunity arose when Jason Kipnis walked to lead off the 4th and then reached third after a throwing error by Cabrera. However, Brandon Moss then popped out to end the threat.

After five innings, the game was suspended for two hours due to a downpour, thereby knocking both starters out of the game. The Tribe immediately put their lead-off man aboard for the fourth time in six innings (via an Aviles single), but again it came to naught.

Cue Scott Atchison on his (premature?) return from a stint on the disabled list. He promptly walked Kinsler and conceded a bloop single to Cabrera before J.D. Martinez homered on a hanging breaking ball to make it 5-0.

Debutant Francisco Lindor then came in to pinch-hit (as DH) for David Murphy in the 7th, but he struck out swinging in his first at bat. The Tribe did get two men on in the 8th, but Santana popped up to leave them both stranded. Then, to add to the Tribe's misery, the normally reliable Ryan Webb promptly gave up three more runs on four hits.

Trailing 8-0 entering the 9th, the Tribe finally got on the board with a solo homer by Brandon Moss. That brought Lindor to the plate to record his first MLB hit with a "double" down the right field line that he converted to a single by slipping over as he rounded first base.

Clutching at straws for some more positives to report, at least Nick Hagadone was on good form, retiring all five batters he faced (with 3 Ks), while Jason Kipnis reached base three times.

Win Expectancy Chart

Source: FanGraphs

Roll Call

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