Detroit Tigers beaten by Cleveland Indians 3-5 in series finale – MLB Update
Detroit Tigers were beaten by the Cleveland Indians 3-5 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Thursday, July 26 in the finale of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Manager Jim Leyland will be extremely disappointed with the fact the Tigers lost their first place on the American League Central Division standings table. Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander has a forgettable time on the mound and he will be looking to regroup
himself before his next start.
Verlander gave up nine hits and five runs to take his sixth loss of the season. The 2011 American League Most Valuable Player Award winner looked a bit uncomfortable right from the start of the contest. After pitching six solid innings, he lost his way and
the Indians made him pay the ultimate price.
"Horrible execution of pitches," Verlander said. "I'm extremely disappointed in myself for not going out there with a two-run lead in the seventh to shut the door and give us that `W.'"
Credit should be given to Indians’ batting line-up that made the most of available opportunities to post a decent total on the board.
Second baseman Jason Kipnis hit a sacrifice fly to left in the first to score the opening run. After the Tigers took 3-1 lead in the sixth, Carlos Santana homered to right in the seventh to bring the Indians right back into the contest.
Indians’ starter Zach McAllister gave up three runs on nine hits in six plus solid innings and relief pitcher Joe Smith grabbed his seventh win of the season.
"When Carlos hit his, the hope is there," Indians’ manager Manny Acta said. "Then Hafner hit one and the momentum shifted."
"Give them credit," Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland said. "They had a great game plan. It looked like they were going to ambush the first-pitch fastball and they never got off it."
Designated hitter Travis Hafner added a solo home-run to right-centre and Asdrubal Cabrera singled to right in the seventh to help the Indians come back from behind to clinch a thrilling victory.
The Indians will be happy with their performance as they managed to get their offence to fire and get a tremendous victory against the Tigers.
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