Things started out badly for the Indians immediately on both offense and defense tonight.
With two outs in the first, Miguel Cabrera blasted a two-run homer off of Jeanmar Gomez to give Detroit the quick early lead at 2-0, and then, in the bottom of the first, with one out and after Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo had drawn walks off of Max Scherzer, Carlos Santana hit into an inning-ending double play.
We’ve seen that act quite a few times as of late, haven’t we.
In the second inning, Gomez again got into trouble, when Detroit put runners at second and third with one out, but got a fielder’s choice grounder from Brandon Inge for out number two, as Ryan Raburn was cut down at the plate.. Austin Jackson singled to load the bases and frankly, the game was on the line at that point, with the way Gomez was struggling, having already given up five hits.
And, here at least, Gomez came through, striking out Will Rhymes to keep the score 2-0 Tigers, and to keep the deficit manageable.
In the second, Shelley Duncan collected the first Tribe hit, but the next three batters were retired, as Scherzer, already 4-0 on the season, was looking good for Detroit.
Gomez had a nice third inning, setting the Tigers down in order for the first time tonight. Having thrown 48 pitches thus far, Gomez, if he could keep Detroit in check, was on track to perhaps go six innings.
The Indians also went in order in the third, and going to the fourth, the Miguel Cabrera homer in the first inning was still holding up, as Detroit led 2-0