Bauer K's 11 as Indians cruise past Tigers, 4-1
Trevor Bauer continued his mastery against the Detroit Tigers, Francisco Lindor homered for the second straight game and the host Cleveland Indians collected a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Bauer (7-5) has won all four of his starts against Detroit this season in dominating fashion. In his latest gem, he held the Tigers to one run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings while striking out 11. He has given up just four runs over 29 1/3 innings while racking up 40 strikeouts in those four outings.
Lindor had two hits and scored twice, while Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Ramirez each scored and knocked in a run. Cody Allen notched his 16th save.
Cleveland has defeated Detroit nine consecutive times on its home field.
The Tigers activated starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (3-3) from the disabled list, and he lasted just four innings in his first outing since May 26. Liriano gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits and walked three batters.
JaCoby Jones extended his hitting streak to nine games with two hits and also scored Detroit's lone run. Every player in the Tigers lineup struck out at least once.
The Tigers are 3-9 against the Indians this season.
The Indians emerged from an eventful first inning with a 3-0 lead.
Bauer struck out the first two batters he faced. The Tigers then loaded the bases with a walk, single and hit batsman before Bauer set down James McCann on strikes.
The first four batters reached against Liriano. Ramirez knocked in the first run with a single, though Michael Brantley was thrown out at third on the play. A wild pitch advanced Ramirez, and he scored on Encarnacion's single.
With two out, Brandon Guyer singled and Encarnacion scored when McCann dropped the ball while applying the tag at home plate.
Jones manufactured a run in the top of the second. He reached on an infield hit, stole second, advanced on a flyout and scored on a wild pitch.
Lindor greeted reliever Alex Wilson with his solo shot to right field in the fifth to make it 4-1.
--Field Level Media
