The Indians’ hangover from their American League Central title clincher Monday was a precursor to the onslaught from the Tigers, whose fight for a postseason berth rolls on. Miguel Cabrera and Justin Upton hit three-run home runs, part of a five-RBI game for Cabrera, as Justin Verlander tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings in a 12-0 Tigers victory Tuesday night at Comerica Park.
The end of Detroit’s three-game losing streak, combined with Baltimore’s loss at Toronto, crept the Tigers back within a game of the Orioles for the second AL Wild Card spot. The Tigers’ elimination number remains at five with five games left to play.
“That’s why we don’t worry about yesterday,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “We’re one game back. You’d rather be one of the two teams in the Wild Card, but if you’re one game back, anything can happen.”
The Indians eliminated the Tigers from the division race Monday by clinching their first AL Central title since 2007, so manager Terry Francona rested several of his regulars behind rookie starter Mike Clevinger. The Tigers pressed on, scoring five runs in two innings off Clevinger (2-3) before breaking the game open with three-run rallies in the seventh and eighth.
Verlander (16-8), who picked up a no-decision after dealing seven scoreless innings in Cleveland a week and a half ago, cruised with the support and mowed down the makeshift Indians lineup, racking up a season-high 12 strikeouts while limiting Cleveland to four hits.
“It’s actually kind of tough that way,” Verlander said. “Bunch of guys in there I don’t know at all, just trying to figure it out on the fly when I’m out there, just read swings and stuff. In the end, if you execute your pitches, most times you’ll get guys out.”
The loss cost Cleveland (91-66) a chance to gain ground on the Red Sox (92-65) in the battle for home-field advantage. The Indians are one game back of Boston, which lost on Tuesday, and 1 1/2 games back of Texas (93-65), which won.
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