Justin Verlander bags 22nd win as Detroit Tigers defeat Cleveland Indians 8-6 – MLB Update
Justin Verlander extended his winning record to 22 games this season to help the Detroit Tigers crush the Cleveland Indians 8-6 on Wednesday, September 7 and complete a three-game series whitewash at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
Verlander was charged for four earned-runs in his six innings amid three hits to see his ERA rise to 2.44 but this number is still decent as far as comparison with other leading pitchers is concerned. Verlander displayed his entire arsenal to strike-out
eight batters and extend his lead on the list for most strike-outs this season, his tally now resolute at 232.
The Indians got off to a firm start as Shelley Duncan pulled the ball 395-feet towards left field for a two-run home-run. Carlos Santana completed his run on this hit to give the Indians a two-run advantage over the visitors but Miguel Cabrera and Victor
Martinez paired well for the Tigers to eradicate this lead in the fourth inning.
Cabrera scored the first run for Detroit when Alex Avila hit a sacrifice fly before Martinez cashed in on Wilson Betemit’s RBI effort to bring the score level at 2-2.
Duncan seemed to be in prime hitting form as he quickly responded in the bottom of the fourth inning with another two-run homer to take the home side two-runs clear of Detroit. Jim Thome got lucky to complete his run off Shelly’s hit this time and improve
his batting average to .234 for the season. Duncan has produced some gigantic hits in the last few games and he will now want to be more consistent to cement his place in the line-up.
Indians seemed to be completely in control of proceedings until the seventh inning flurry by the Tigers turned things around. Cabrera singled to the left to allow Austin Jackson a run. Will Rhymes reached safely to third base and Andy Dirks made it to the
second to load the bases for the Tigers with Martinez at-bat.
Trailing by one-run, the visitors soared to a three-run lead when Martinez unleashed a Grand Slam down the left flank to virtually seal the game for the Tigers. Lonnie Chisenhall retaliated for the Indians with a two-run homer in the same inning but Avila’s
run in the last inning safely took the visitors through.
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