The Detroit Tigers will likely be without American League MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera this evening when they continue their three-game series against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.
Cabrera, who is hitting .328 with 38 home runs and a major league-high 126 RBI, left Monday's opener in the seventh inning when he landed awkwardly while trying to get back to first on a pick-off attempt. Although X-rays taken after the game were negative, Cabrera will be re-evaluated on Tuesday.
"I'm concerned," said manager Jim Leyland.
Cleveland continued the home team's dominance in this series on Monday, as Travis Hafner hit a three-run homer in a five-run fifth inning, helping the Indians to a 6-3 win. Matt LaPorta and Luke Carlin hit solo homers in the fifth for Cleveland, which has won four straight overall.
It was the 10th straight time that the home team has won in this series.
Carlos Carrasco (2-1) worked six innings, allowing three runs on 11 hits with one walk while striking out five in earning the win. Chris Perez recorded his 22nd save with a perfect ninth.
Austin Jackson went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, while Jhonny Peralta added a run-scoring single for the Tigers, who lost for only the second time in their last 10 tries.
Armando Galarraga (4-8) suffered the loss for allowing five runs on four hits with four walks in 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander did not strike out a batter.
"We finally broke loose against Galarraga, who has pitched very well against us," said manager Manny Acta, whose Indians had not scored in 16 previous innings this year against the Tigers starter, including his infamous near- perfect game on June 2.
Getting the call for the Indians tonight will be righty Mitch Talbot, who has lost his last two starts and seven of his past eight decisions. Talbot was charged with the loss on Thursday against Kansas City, as he allowed three runs and five hits in five innings to fall to 9-13, while raising his earned run average to 4.61.
Talbot has faced the Tigers four times (three starts) and is 1-1 with a 7.27 ERA.
Detroit will counter with righty Max Scherzer, who is 12-10 with a 3.40 ERA. Scherzer also beat the Royals his last time out, as he scattered two hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings.
Over his last 11 starts Scherzer is 5-2 and has pitched to a 1.93 ERA.
Scherzer beat the Tribe the last time he faced them, but is just 1-2 in three starts against Cleveland with a 5.29 ERA.
Detroit is 9-7 against the Tribe this season.