Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians – 2012 MLB Series Review
Detroit Tigers took on Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday, July 24 in the opening game of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Tigers entered the series with an impressive 52-44 record, leading the American League Central Division standings. Manager Jim Leyland was expecting his team to continue the winning streak to widen the game between Detroit and the second placed Chicago on
the league standings.
However, despite having momentum on their side, the Tigers were unable to cross the winning line on Tuesday and the Indians held their nerves to clinch a nail biter 3-2. Starting pitcher Doug Fister allowed the Indians to get off to flying start as he took
his seventh loss of the year.
With the Indians leading 2-0 in the sixth, it seemed the will hold on to shut the Tigers but Miguel Cabrera’s home-run to centre brought the Tigers back into the contest, levelling the score 2-2. Relief pitcher Phil Coke gave up the winning score in the
ninth and the Indians fittingly took 1-0 lead in the series.
Leyland and company bounced back strongly in the following game, taking complete advantage of Indians unforced errors. Third baseman Cabrera made another useful contribution as he singled to right and Austin Jackson score to put the Tigers on the board.
Jackson grounded into fielder’s choice to short-stop and rookie Quintin Berry singled to shallow left in the second to put Detroit in a commanding 2-0 position.
2012 Home Run Derby Winner Prince Fielder also made his presence felt with a sacrifice fly to centre in the fifth and Berry singled to left in the sixth to lead the Tigers to a comfortable 5-3 win. Starter Max Scherzer had a great time on the mound as he
gave up just three hits while striking-out eight for his 10th win of the season. Reliever Jose Valverde held off the Indians for his 19th save.
"Max's ceiling is very high," manager Jim Leyland said. "He has a chance to get better and better."
"You can really judge your outing on your last 15 pitches," he said. "I finished the game really well. I had a good fifth inning, a good sixth inning and I got through the seventh. That helped keep the momentum on our side and I was able to get the game
to the bullpen."
"We couldn't do much against Scherzer," manager Manny Acta said. "He beat us all night with his fastball."
Indians’ starting pitcher Joe Smith stopped some of Detroit best hitters in the finale to improve to 7-2 and lead Cleveland to a much needed series victory. Fielder, Jackson and Delmon Young had RBI’s but their effort did not prove to be enough.
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