Tigers saddle Indians with sixth straight loss
DETROIT -- The quality starts continue to pile up for the Detroit Tigers, and the frustration keeps mounting for their closest competitors in the American League Central
Rick Porcello, considered the Tigers' No. 5 starter, held the Indians to one earned run and three hits in six innings as Detroit handed Cleveland its sixth straight loss, 6-4, on Saturday at Comerica Park.
Porcello's performance was the 14th quality start from the Tigers staff in the last 15 games, a major reason why they have extended their lead in the division to 4 1/2 games.
"I've been in the major leagues for 17 seasons and I've never had a pitching staff like this," said Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter, who signed with the club as a free agent during the offseason. "Pitching and defense wins games. Offense fluctuates, and good pitching beats good hitting any day. I'm excited and thankful I can be a part of this pitching staff over here."
The Tigers did all of their offensive damage in the early going, scoring four in the second and two in the third against Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco. Prince Fielder hit a three-run double and Andy Dirks added two run-scoring singles.
Cleveland manager Terry Francona was ejected during the eighth inning for arguing with home plate umpire Andy Fletcher, his second ejection in the last six games. Francona came out to intervene between innings when a discussion between first baseman Nick Swisher and Fletcher got heated.
"When I saw Andy get a little animated, I got out there," said Francona, whose team has lost 10 straight road games. "I just wanted to get in between him and Swish. The way Andy approached me, I thought he lost his composure and I don't think I had any chance to stay in that game. Spit coming out of his mouth and the gesturing, but I didn't go out there to get thrown out."
Carrasco (0-2), who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus earlier in the day, gave up six runs and 10 hits in four-plus innings. That forced Francona to go to his bullpen early for the second straight game in the series.
"His stuff is electric, but there's still some learning to do," Francona said. "He didn't pitch inside, and if he lets them get their arms extended, it takes away some of the effectiveness of his breaking ball because they're not respecting inside. When he learns to throw the fastball in, he's going to be something special."
Porcello gave up two hits and a run to the first two batters he faced, then quickly settled down. He cruised through the next three innings, then got out of trouble after walking the leadoff hitters in the fifth and sixth.
"I felt when I was in a jam, I threw the ball really well and made some big pitches that allowed us to get out of some innings," said Porcello, who struck out seven. "I just have to control my tempo a little better."
Jose Valverde posted his eighth save by striking out the last two batters after two of the first three batters he faced reached base.
Fielder gave the Tigers a 4-1 lead in the second when he ripped a hanging breaking ball into the right-center field gap for his bases-loaded double.
Detroit tacked on two third-inning runs on a bases-loaded double play and Dirks' second RBI single.
A two-run home run by ex-Tiger Ryan Raburn off reliever Luke Putkonen in the seventh cut the Tigers' lead to 6-4.
NOTES: Detroit's Anibal Sanchez will miss his scheduled start on Sunday because of right shoulder and upper back stiffness. Left-hander Jose Alvarez was called up on Saturday from Triple A Toledo, where he leads the International League with 76 strikeouts, and will make his major-league debut in Sanchez's place. Sanchez, who is 6-5 with a 2.65 ERA, is not expected to go on the disabled list. Alvarez, 24, was 5-4 with a 2.42 ERA in 12 starts for the Mud Hens and has pitched in the minors since 2006. Reliever Octavio Dotel was moved to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster. ... The Indians placed right-hander Zach McAllister on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 3, because of sprained right middle finger. Francona expects McAllister, who is 4-5 with a 3.43 ERA in 11 starts, to be out two to four weeks. ... Carlos Carrasco is appealing an eight-game suspension from Major League Baseball for "intentionally throwing" at Kevin Youkilis of the Yankees in April. ... The Tigers selected Ben Verlander, younger brother of ace Justin Verlander, in the 14th round of the Major League Baseball draft on Saturday. Ben, a junior outfielder at Old Dominion, batted .367 with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs this season. They also drafted Hunter's son, Torii Jr., in the 36th round.
