Detroit Tigers: Detroit Trumps Cleveland Indians 8-5 in Opener

The Detroit Tigers maintained both their offensive surge and their 2015 dominance over the Cleveland Indians Monday night winning the opener decisively, 8-5.

The Tigers bats came alive in New York Sunday afternoon and carried them into Cleveland.  The middle of the lineup carried the weight Monday in Cleveland accounting for the entire run production. Kinsler, Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Cespedes went collectively 7-for-14.

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Cespedes struck early and often doubling Kinsler in the first and hit his tenth home run of the year in the third giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead.  The Indians clawed back behind the hot bats of Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley.

The Tigers blew the game open, though, in the top of the fourth loading the bases and actually seizing the opportunity with runners in scoring position.  A bases loaded walk for Cabrera walked in Jose Iglesias.  Victor Martinez’s hot bat followed with a two run single to give the Tigers a 6-3 lead.

Victor rejoined the Tigers Friday night against the Yankees and reclaimed his clean up position.  In four games back he has gone five for seventeen, six RBI and a home run.

The series sees the two best hitters in the American League in Cabrera and Kipnis.  Cabrera edged Kipnis in Monday’s battle going two for three with an RBI increasing his average to a league leading .350.  Kipnis went two for four with two RBI increasing his average to .347.

Kyle Ryan was a bit shaky in his start as he tries to earn the fifth spot in the rotation.  Ryan tossed nearly 4 innings but gave up three runs, six hits and two walks.  The bullpen combo of Blaine Hardy, Alex Wilson and Joba Chamberlain finished to set up Joakim Soria for closing the game out in a non save situation which he did despite giving up a bottom of the ninth home run.

The Tigers win in Cleveland brought their dominance in 2015 against Cleveland to a 8-2 record.

The Tigers throw David Price in Tuesday’s game in Cleveland against Salazar.

Next: MCB's MLB Power Rankings: Tigers at no. 11