The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
HR sinks Tribe in 12th
Closer Allen gives up two-run blast; Clevinger’s strong outing wasted
DETROIT » A bit of bad luck ended Jeimer Candelario’s first chance to end the game in extra innings.
On his second opportunity, he made sure luck wouldn’t be a factor.
Candelario hit a 2-0 fastball from Cody Allen deep into the right-field stands in the 12th inning, giving the Detroit Tigers a 4-2 victory over the Indians on June 9.
“When the ball hit my barrel, all I could think was, ‘Wow!’” Candelario said. “I knew it was gone.”
In the 10th, Candelario came up with one out and the bases loaded and hit a line drive right at shortstop Francisco Lindor with the infield drawn in.
“That was frustrating, because I knew that was a huge chance, and I hit it right at Lindor,” Candelario said. “I was hoping I’d get another chance.”
Miguel Cabrera singled off
Allen (2-3) with two outs, and Candelario followed with the first game-ending homer of his career.
“That’s huge, because he’s been struggling a bit — the first time he’s really done that — and then he missed that shot in the 10th,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “That was a great swing, a loud noise and a big smile.”
Indians manager Terry Francona didn’t want to use Allen — who took a grounder off his foot while getting the save on Friday — but the closer told his manager he could pitch.
“He just got behind in the count and had to come in with a fastball,” Francona said.
Warwick Saupold (4-1) worked two scoreless innings of relief. He entered in the 11th with two on and nobody out, got out of the jam and then pitched a pitched 12th.
“We put him in a really bad situation, and he saved us,” Gardenhire said.
Tigers starter Mike Fiers allowed one run on five hits in seven innings.
“Our offense has been in a bit of a slump, and their starter was really firing, so I knew I had to be good to keep us in the game,” Fiers said.