Sweep extends Tribe’s hot streak
DETROIT — When Miguel Cabrera hit Joe Smith’s 1-and-1 pitch in the ninth inning of Game 1 on Friday, Smith dropped his head and walked off the mound.
He thought he allowed a game-winning, walk-off hit to the man who has ruled the Indians’ psyche for so many years. Instead the laser off Cabrera’s bat ended up in Francisco Lindor’s glove at shortstop for a 3-2 victory.
There was no such drama in the second game of the day-night doubleheader. The Indians won 10-0 for their second doubleheader sweep in the past three days. They have won nine straight games to tie a season high.
The Indians, after going 19-9 in August, are 2-0 in September. They aren’t hot, they’re scalding.
With the score tied at 2 in Game 1, the Indians’ Jay Bruce hit a pinch-hit triple off Shane Greene (3-3) with one out in the ninth.
“They didn’t pick the ball up quickly, and I just kept going,” Bruce said.
Lindor followed with an RBI single through the drawn-in infield.
Bruce wasn’t surprised that Lindor followed with a clutch hit.
“He can change a game in so many ways, offensively and defensively,” he said.
Lindor’s defensive play in the bottom of the inning sealed the victory.
“Miggy hit that right on the screws, but right at Lindor,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.
A lineup conceived deep in the recesses of manager Terry Francona’s mind accounted for 10 runs and 15 hits in the second game. Rookies Bradley Zimmer and Yandy Diaz were the first two hitters. Jay Bruce, who played most of the season with the New York Mets, batted third.
Left fielder Lonnie Chisenhall came off the disabled list to start his first game since July 9. Catcher Roberto Perez, criticized for his lack of offense, homered and drove in three runs. At the bottom of the order, infielders Giovanny Urshela and Erik Gonzalez combined for five hits and three RBI.
Meanwhile, Mike Clevinger (8-5) threw six scoreless innings to improve to 3-0 with 0.50 ERA against the Tigers this season.
Urshela provided the Indians with the only runs they needed with a two-out double off Buck Farmer (3-2) in the second. Perez made it 4-0 with a two-run single in the fourth and 6-0 his leadoff homer in the sixth.