Kluber exits early in defeat

DETROIT — Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber left his start Tuesday night after the third inning with lower back discomfort, and the Tribe went on to lose 5-2 to the Detroit Tigers.

Kluber (3-2) threw only 55 pitches. It’s the second time this season that Kluber has dealt with back issues. In his second start of the season against Arizona, Kluber pitched through a stiff back. This time, he was unable to

finish his outing.

"It has been bothering me off and on for a few starts now, but this was the first time I couldn't pitch through it," he said. "You have to balance trying to keep going against causing more damage."

Indians manager Terry Francona said the team would wait until Kluber comes to the park today to make any decisions about a roster move.

The Indians lost their second straight game to the division-rival Tigers. And yet, the bigger concern likely will be Kluber’s back. Kluber allowed five earned runs on seven hits and a walk and struck out four, exiting with a 5-1 deficit.

Victor Martinez tied it at 1 in the bottom of the first with an RBI single

to right field, scoring Ian Kinsler, who led off the inning with a double. In the second, Andrew Romine ripped an RBI double to left-center to put the Tigers up 2-1.

Tigers star Miguel Cabrera drilled a tworun home run in the third. Alex Avila later followed with an RBI single to make it 5-1.

Shawn Armstrong, who was recalled from the Clippers to take the spot of injured outfielder Austin Jackson on the 25-man roster, threw 2 scoreless innings in relief, walking one and striking out three. The Indians opted to call up Armstrong instead of a position player to protect the bullpen.

Armstrong combined with Nick Goody (1 innings) and Boone Logan (⅔ of an inning) to throw five hitless innings after Kluber’s

exit, thus keeping the Indians within striking distance. But a counterpunch never came.

Facing Tigers ace Justin Verlander (2-2), the Indians scored early but couldn’t keep any momentum going. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases in the first and with two outs, Carlos Santana scored on a wild pitch.

After that, Verlander found his rhythm. He threw seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He walked four and struck out five.

The Indians made it interesting in the ninth. Against Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez, Yan Gomes doubled and Santana drew a walk with two outs to bring up Francisco Lindor as the tying run. Rodriguez won the battle, though, inducing an infield pop-up to end the game.