Mike Clevinger tossed eight overpowering innings, Francisco Lindor homered and drove in both runs, and the Cleveland Indians continued their domination of the host Detroit Tigers with a 2-0 victory on Thursday.
The Indians have won 14 straight and 15 of 16 against the Tigers this season. Detroit's only win came on April 10. The teams have three games remaining in Cleveland on Sept. 17-19.
Clevinger (10-2) is 9-0 with two no-decisions in his last 11 starts. He allowed just four hits, walked none and struck out 10 against Detroit. Brad Hand recorded his 33rd save and second in as many games as the Indians swept the three-game series.
Detroit, which has the majors' worst record, has lost five straight.
The Tigers had a threat going in the first when shortstop Willi Castro ripped a one-out double. Clevinger responded, however, by retiring the next two batters.
Lindor's opposite-field homer in the third off Daniel Norris (3-11) broke a scoreless tie and gave Lindor his third straight 25-homer season. It also gave him five extra-base hits in the series. Norris, who is on a strict innings limit, struck out four batters in three innings, walking one and giving up two hits.
Detroit kept its deficit at one by throwing out a runner at home in the fourth. Yu Chang -- the only player on either side with two hits -- reached on a two-out infield single and tried to score from first on Mike Freeman's bloop hit to left center.
But Castro's relay throw from left fielder Victor Reyes to catcher Jake Rogers beat Chang at home to end the inning.
Lindor hit another deep fly ball in the seventh that gave Cleveland a 2-0 lead. Chang reached on an infield single against Drew VerHagen. After Freeman hit into a fielder's choice, Kevin Plawecki moved him to third on a single. A hit batsman loaded the bases before Lindor's long drive to deep right center.
Center fielder Harold Castro tracked it down but Freeman scored on the sacrifice fly.
Clevinger finished with a flourish in the eighth. He struck out Brandon Dixon swinging and got Travis Demeritte looking. After a Jordy Mercer single, he set down Rogers looking to finish his day.
--Field Level Media
Cleveland | Detroit | |
Mike Clevinger | Player | Daniel Norris |
Win | W/L | Loss |
8.0 | IP | 3.0 |
10 | Strikeouts | 4 |
4 | Hits | 2 |
0.00 | ERA | 3.00 |
Cleveland | Detroit | |
Yu Chang | Player | Harold Castro |
2 | Hits | 1 |
0 | RBI | 0 |
0 | HR | 0 |
2 | TB | 1 |
.500 | Avg | .333 |