Danny Salazar Shuts Out Tigers; Indians win 7-0

Sep 3, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder

(20) reacts after flying out in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers dropped game 3 of a 4 game series with the Cleveland Indians 7-0. Tonight was Justin Verlander’s 3^rd start since he missed some time with shoulder soreness. He was looking to build off of his last start where he went 7 innings only surrendering 1 run against the New York Yankees, but Verlander was not as sharp tonight. Verlander’s final line was 6.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, and 7 K. Verlander was ambushed 3 times and gave up multiple runs in the 1^st, 4^th and 7^th innings in route to the loss.

Danny Salazar was the story tonight with his complete game shutout. His start was much like his start last year where he dominated the Tigers until Miguel Cabrera home run which gave the Tigers the win. Tonight’s start did not include that late home run. Salazar dominated the Tigers with his fastball and slider throughout his start. Salazar’s final line was 9 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 0 BB, and 9 K on 119 pitches.

The Tigers compiled 8 hits, but also bounced into 2 double plays so Salazar did not have to pitch in many stressful situations. The most stressful situation was in the top of the 4^th when the Tigers put men on 2^nd and 3^rd with 1 out before J.D. Martinez struck out and Nick Castellanos grounded out. The Tigers scattered the rest of the hits, but did not put multiple runners on base besides the 4^th.

The Cleveland Indians started the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Jose Ramirez singled to left field which was later followed by a Carlos Santana home run to right field. Santana has now his 4 home runs off of the Tigers this season.

Cleveland extended their lead in the bottom of the 4^th with a Jason Kipnis walk in front of a Lonnie Chisenhall double. Chisenhall moved up to third on the play because of a throwing error by Ian Kinsler. Yan Gomes then singled on the infield to score Chisenhall from third to give the Indians a 4-0 lead.

Cleveland once again widened their lead in the 7^th inning. Yan Gomes started the inning with a double to the wall in left field. Gomes then moved up to third on a wild pitch where Verlander and Bryan Holaday got crossed up. Verlander then retired Jason Giambi (yes he’s still in the league) and Zach Walters to give Tigers fans hope of getting out of the inning unscathed. As you read at the beginning of this paragraph, he did not. Michael Bourn singled to center on a 3-2 fastball and Ramirez doubled him home to stretch the lead to 6-0 and chase Verlander from the game. Pat McCoy relieved Verlander and gave up a very hard hit single to right field to score Bourn and give the Indians the 7-0 lead.

These two teams will face off again Thursday afternoon in the series finale. Max Scherzer takes the hill against Trevor Bauer at 7:05pm.