If this was just the opening salvo of what’s to come in the remaining 18 games between the Indians and Tigers in 2017, then we may be in for a heck of a season.
It was a four hour game played inefficiently but in the end the Indians rebounded from a thoroughly miserable evening to make some hearts beat in Motown and perhaps more importantly burn through most of the Tiger bullpen including their closer to preserve what seemed to be a sure win.
The Friday night crowd of 25,423 actually witnessed a well-pitched ballgame through the first four innings as Trevor Bauer and Daniel Norris dueled to an early 1-0 Tigers lead. Norris was certainly more efficient, however, as Bauer’s pitch count pushed past 80 in the 5th inning. And then he ran into Miguel Cabrera.
Cabrera, the long-time nemesis of the Indians, entered the game hitting .133 but in no way does that mean he does not instill fear into the hearts of Indians fans everywhere when he bats with men on base. Case in point here as Cabrera dropped a three run bomb just over the fence in right to extend the lead to 4-0 and put a serious damper in Bauer’s evening.
Surprisingly, Terry Francona stuck with Bauer to start the 6th even though he was at 105 pitches and had struggled to get through the 5th. Perhaps the bullpen was a bit fried from Thursday night’s clunker against the White Sox?
Regardless, the Tigers quickly turned on Bauer with an 0-2 single by Ty Collins followed by a 2-0 meatball that Alex Avila deposited into the bleachers in left.
The Indians rallied in the 8th, scoring one run and leaving the bases loaded when Carlos Santana struck out to end the threat. The 9th inning rally had more legs, however, as pinch hitter Lonnie Chisenhall teed off on Francisco Rodriguez with a grand slam to pull the Tribe within one at 7-6. Alas, it was the final score as Austin Jackson struck out meakly to end the game.
If you’re looking for takeaways after a long, ugly loss punctuated by one brief shining moment, I think there are several.
Trevor Bauer will have nights like this but he was sharper than his final numbers (5+ IP, 8 hits, 6 ER) would indicate. He topped out at 96 mph in a particularly dominating 4th inning when he struck out the side. On the flipside, it appears the Tigers have a real deal starting pitcher in Daniel Norris who allowed just two hits and four walks in six innings. The Tribe hasn’t seen the last of Norris this season.
After a tough start and just two hits through the first seven innings, the offense turned its luck around and a few of those hard-hit outs began to drop in. This is a deep line-up that is just getting Chisenhall and soon Jason Kipnis back into the fold. It’s cold in April so it’s hard to get too down on an offense going through a tough spell this early.
Perhaps most importantly, the Indians made the Tigers work through their bullpen. Five Tigers relievers pitched the final three innings and allowed six hits and three walks while giving the Indians hope on a night when it appeared they would have none. Detroit’s bullpen has been their Achilles heel for years and early indications say not much has changed.
The Indians (4-6) and Tigers (7-3) are back at it tomorrow afternoon at Progressive Field for Jackie Robinson Day.