Detroit Tigers Lose 7-3 as Verlander is Shelled

The Detroit Tigers fell to the Cleveland Indians 7-3 in the first game of their three-game series. Francisco Lindor was the story for the Indians as he owned Verlander in route to a single, double, and home run.

Newly engaged Justin Verlander got the start for the Tigers and struggled mightily. In the first, he surrendered a walk, three hits, and three runs while throwing 38 pitches. Verlander showed flashes of quality pitching in the 2^nd and 4^th innings, retiring all 6 batters he faced, needing only 6 pitches in the 4^th. In the 3^rd, he surrendered a single-double combination to surrender a run. In the 5^th, the Tigers cut into the Indians’ lead, but Verlander fell apart at the worst time to put a dagger in the game for a final line of 5.0 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 2 K.

The Tigers almost got on the board first in the top of the first. Ian Kinsler led off with a single that undressed the third baseman. J.D. Martinez took his spot at first on a fielder’s choice. Miguel Cabrera moved J.D. to third on a single. Victor Martinez then hit a fly ball to left field with J.D. tagging up. Initially, J.D. was called safe, but after a challenge, he was ruled out because his foot never touched home plate and the umpires believed a tag was applied before his hand got to the plate.

The Indians got to Verlander in the bottom of the first. Jason Kipnis walked and Francisco Lindor put runners on first and second with one out. After a Michael Brantley lineout to center field, Mike Napoli doubled deep to center field to bring Kipnis and Lindor home. Yan Gomes then singled home Napoli to give the Indians the 3-0 lead.

The Indians struck once again in the bottom of the third. Lindor doubled and came around on a Michael Brantley single to give the Indians the 4-0 lead.

The Tigers look got back into the game in the top of the 5^th. Anthony Gose led off the inning with a ground ball single. Ian Kinsler then deposited a Tomlin pitch over the left field wall to cut the deficit to 4-2. 

More from Detroit Tigers News

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
• The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

When the Tigers needed a shutdown inning most, Verlander fell apart in the bottom of the fifth. Carlos Santana walked, Kipnis hit a line drive single, and Lindor crushed a home run 418 feet to right field for his third hit of the game to give the Indians the 7-2 lead.

The Tigers threatened to make the game interesting in the 8^th, but stranded valuable runs on the bases. Miguel Cabrera walked, Upton moved him up with a single, and Castellanos brought him home with a single. With runners on first and second with one out James McCann and Jarrod Saltalamacchia struck out to keep the deficit at 7-3.

Next: Is It Time to Worry about Verlander?

These two teams will face off once again Wednesday evening at 6:10. Anibal Sanchez and Corey Kluber will get the starts for their respective teams in a rematch from April 23 when the Indians crushed the Tigers 10-1 in Kluber’s lone win of the season.