Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera might impact a game more than any other hitter in baseball right now. Cabrera’s influence on an outcome was certainly evident Tuesday night, when the Indians took their chances with pitching to him at a critical juncture.
Cabrera made it the wrong decision.
Cleveland starter Corey Kluber surrendered a two-run home run to Cabrera in the sixth inning, sending the Tribe to a 5-1 defeat in the opener of a two-game set at Progressive Field. Detroit right-hander Max Scherzer dominated the Indians’ lineup over eight innings, making Kluber’s confrontation with the reigning American League Most Valuable Player in the sixth all the more glaring.
“I missed my spot,” Kluber said. “And it was kind of right where he wanted it.”
The loss was only the fifth in the past 23 games for Cleveland, which entered this two-game divisional clash riding a five-game winning streak. The American League Central-leading Indians pulled off three walk-off wins in their previous four victories, but the Tigers saw to it that there would be no last-minute magic on this night.
Kluber began his outing by spinning five shutout innings, entering the sixth armed with a 1-0 lead. That slim advantage was soon erased when Andy Dirks opened the momentum-swinging frame with a home run into the right-field stands. Torii Hunter followed by ripping a pitch from Kluber deep to right field, where it one-hopped the wall for an easy double.
That set the stage for Cabrera.
While first base was open, making an intentional walk one way to go, there were no outs and fellow slugger Prince Fielder loomed on deck. Indians manager Terry Francona said he did not consider instructing Kluber to issue a free pass to Cabrera.
“If you walk him, and you have first and second and nobody out, you’re asking for trouble,” Francona explained. “You’re putting your pitcher in a tough spot.”
Cabrera grounded out in the first inning and flew out to center field in the fourth, but last year’s Triple Crown winner has a way of learning from previous plate appearances. On May 10, Cabrera also went 0-for-2 out of the gates against Kluber before ripping a three-run home run in the pitcher’s worst outing of the season.
Click here to read more of this story.
About Marion Online Sports
