Detroit Tigers lose to Cleveland Indians 2-4 – MLB Update
Detroit Tigers suffered yet another setback as they lost to Cleveland Indians 2-4 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio in the second game of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Andy Dirks provided the Tigers with a solid start as he doubled to deep right in the sixth inning to score the first run. Prince Fielder, who was acquired for a record nine year $214 million deal earlier this year, grounded into fielder’s choice to shortstop
to double Tigers’ advantage to 2-0.
For the Indians, Travis Hafner played a key role in deciding the outcome of the clash as he homered to right centre in the sixth inning to level the score. Vinnie Pestano pitched with great control and accuracy, striking out Jhonny Peralta and Ramon Santiago
to dent Tigers’ confidence levels.
"There's lots of games left, but you feel it," Kipnis said. "We're playing the team that caught us and dominated the division the last half of last year."
"I've been in that situation before and the thing to do is not curl up," Pestano said. "When your back is against the wall, there is only one way to go."
"Without those guys (the bullpen), life would be very tough for us," Indians manager Manny Acta said.
"It clearly was inaccurate," Fielder said. "It didn't hit him in the glove. If I made the play it would have been easy, but I didn't."
The Indians will take a lot of confidence from the win against one of the strongest teams in the American League Central division. Jason Kipnis looked extremely happy after scoring the go ahead run against the Tigers and the Indians took a decisive 2-0 lead
in the series.
Detroit was unable to make the most of available opportunities in the opening game and they were hoping to turn the tables to level series at 1-1 but the offence failed to live up to the expectations once more. It will be interesting to see if Jim Leyland
and company can up their game play a bit in the finale to restore some of the lost pride.
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