Jose Valverde shines as Detroit Tigers defeat Cleveland Indians 8-7 – MLB Update
Jose Valverde had the 37th win of the season on Sunday, August 21 to help the Detroit Tigers beat the Cleveland Indians 8-7 at Comerica Park.
Centre-fielder Austin Jackson threw out Kosuke Fukudome in a game ending double-play.
"When the ball was hit, I just started running to cover home plate," Valverde said. "I looked back, saw the throw and the tag and just yelled 'Thank you!'
Even though Valverde tossed a wonderful inning, he was not satisfied with this performance. "This really wasn't my day -- my pitches were going all over the place," Valverde said. "That was the hardest save of my career."
Hard as the Detroit Tigers came on the Cleveland Indians, the victory also enabled them to sweep the three-game series against the slumping Indians. "That throw is going to be on our highlight reel, for sure," Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland said.
Both Rick Porcello and Ubaldo Jimenez threw solid pitches in the first two innings whereby none of the hitters of the respective teams were able to score any run. Entering into the third, the game saw one of the most exciting moments.
The 6-hit seven run third inning was a virtual disaster for the Jimenez of the Indians. Ramon Santiago was the first to score followed by that of Austin Jackson who singled to left. Delmon Young had the three-run homer and Victor Martinez hit a two-run homer
to make it 7-0 for the Detroit Tigers by the end of the third.
Cleveland Indians followed by an equally strong response. The fourth inning of Rick Porcello was not favourable for the Detroit Tigers. Carlson Santa homered, Lou Marson singled to right and Michael Brantley scored a two-run double to make it 7-4 while Brantley
followed with another single to end the inning with a 7-5 score for the Cleveland Indians.
However, the Tigers did not give up. Their offence sparked in the fourth with Delmon Young scoring another single to centre only to be followed by a single of Jack Hannahan that brought the score at 8-6 at the end of the fifth inning.
Travis Hafner went against Daniel Schlereth to take up the Cleveland Indians’ score to 7, making it 8-7 by the end of the sixth inning. With the starter and relievers going through the toughest of times, the Detroit Tigers opted for Jose Valverde to pitch
the last.
The Tigers with an 8-7 lead turned the game into their favour with Jose Valverde’s wonderfully solid ninth inning whereby he did not let any Indians’ hitter to score. By the strong pitches, Valverde concluded the game with 8-7 victory for the Tigers. It
will be interesting to see how the Tigers carry their winning momentum forward.
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