Detroit Tigers 2012 regular season review – Part 32
After taking an embarrassing 2-4 loss against the Cleveland Indians in the series opener, the Detroit Tigers were looking to use their home conditions to get back into the series.
However, in Game 2 on June 6, 2012 the Indians dominated the Tigers in almost all aspects of the match-up. Indians’ offence, in particular, played a big part in deciding the outcome of the clash.
Centre fielder Michael Brantley provided his side with an excellent start as he smacked a three run home-run to right in the first inning to give Indians a crucial 3-0 lead. First baseman Casey Kotchman also had a great time on the plate, belting a two run
home-run to right to help the Indians establish complete control over the contest.
Second baseman Jason Kipnis, left fielder Johnny Damon and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera all made valuable contributions as Indians stacked up a huge total on the board. For the Tigers, Don Kelly and third baseman Miguel Cabrera showed nerves of steel under
pressure as they hit back-to-back home-runs in the third and the fourth to keep Tigers in the game.
Rookie Quintin Berry, Ramon Santiago and slugger Prince Fielder also drove in vital runs but the Indians had no trouble in holding on to their lead as they took a decisive 2-0 series lead.
Tigers’ starting pitcher Max Scherzer looked completely out of sorts as he allowed seven hits and eight runs in just over four innings to take his fourth loss of the season. Scherzer’s fastballs and sliders were off-target and the Indians took complete advantage
of his errors on the mound.
"The championship goes through Detroit," Acta said. "They beat us up pretty good last year, the whole division, and they're a very good ballclub. It's still very early."
"Our bullpen once again proved to be our strength, but our offense was big too today," Acta said.
"We had a little miscue and we didn't pitch above it," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "When you are going good, you make an error and the guy pops up the next pitch. When you are going bad, the guy hits a three-run homer on the next pitch."
Relief pitchers Duane Below, Luis Marte, Phil Coke, Josh Benoit and Jose Valverde combined to give up just one run in 4.2 innings but the damage had been done earlier.
Cleveland starter Jeanmar Gomez held his nerves to outpitch his counter from Detroit in a high scoring game. The right hander gave up seven hits and six runs to claim his fourth win of the season. Tony Sipp, Joe Smith and Vinnie Pestano tossed up three shut-out
innings and closer Chris Perez pitched a scoreless ninth for his 19th save of the season.
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