Detroit Tigers Restore Order to the World by Defeating Cleveland

The laws of averages were laughing at the Detroit Tigers with their 11 losses in a row to the Cleveland Indians. But today, order was restored as the Tigers defeated the Tribe 12-2.

The Cleveland Curse is over. The Comeback Cats reappeared in the fourth inning and they didn’t let up.

And the whole team worked together to defeat their AL Central nemesis.

Anyone watching the first few innings would have noticed that the Tigers did not look like a team that was ready to win. After some misplayed balls by Steven Moya and Cameron Maybin in the outfield and some early runs by Cleveland, it looked like the losing streak was going to continue. But, after the foul ball call was reviewed in the bottom of the third, something in the Tigers dugout snapped into place.

Apr 14, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos (9) is greeted at home plate by first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) after Castellanos hit a two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning in an inter-league game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Special kudos goes Nick Castellanos who made a huge difference going three for five with five RBIs and two runs. The five RBIs were scored on a two-run double and a three-run home run. It is clear that fans are seeing the break-out season of the young third-baseman.

Casty wasn’t the only one who put the ball in play for runs. The offense got started with Ian Kinsler in the top of the fourth. He hit a single and scored when Cameron Maybin hit a home run that bounced off of the foul pole in left field. The runs didn’t end after that.

Victor Martinez hit a double, was moved to third by a Casty single, and then run in by Upton’s sacrifice fly. That sac fly was a welcome sight as the Tigers have struggled to get that offense play going this season. At the end of the fourth, the score was 3-2.

The fifth inning provided excitement, too. After two quick outs by Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jose Iglesias, Kinsler singled, Maybin walked, and Miggy singled scoring Kinsler and Maybin. Then, Victor Martinez reached on an error. Then, it was all up to Castellanos. With Miggy and Victor on base, he hit a dinger straight up into centerfield.

Then, it just kept raining Tigers hits and runs. Eventually, the Tigers were up 12-2 and the score just stayed there.

What made the biggest difference?

June 1, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (32) throws in the sixth inning against Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the mediocre fielding, the pitching came through. During this outing, Michael Fulmer proved that he was a force to be reckoned with as he still only allowed one earned run throughout the entire game. He pitched six innings allowing five hits, walking two, and striking out two. There were two runs scored on him, but one was on an error by Moya – so Fulmer still keeps his outstanding rookie numbers intact.

The relief pitchers held the lead. Shane Greene, Kyle Ryan, and Bobby Parnell allowed four baserunners through the last three innings. The Tigers could not ask for more.

The laws of averages were laughing at the Detroit Tigers with their 11 losses in a row to the Cleveland Indians. But today, order was restored as the Tigers defeated the Tribe 12-2.

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