DETROIT (AP) ― Trailing by three runs and in danger of falling another game off the pace in the AL Central, Orlando Cabrera and the Cleveland Indians broke through with a big rally.
Cabrera had three hits and the Indians came back to beat the Detroit Tigers 6-4 on Wednesday night. After scoring two runs in its previous four games, Cleveland scored four in the fourth inning. Cabrera then added an RBI double in the fifth to break a 4-4 tie.
Cleveland (36-30) pulled back ahead of Detroit (37-31) at the top of the AL Central by a percentage point.
“It’s going to be a really, really interesting season,” Cabrera said. “It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a battle. Hopefully, we’ll have more games like this.”
Cleveland Indians right fielder Choo Shin-soo (right) is congratulated at home plate by teammate Lou Marson after scoring in the fourth inning. The Korean went 2 for 4 with three runs scored. (AP-Yonhap News)
The teams finish the three-game series Thursday, again with first place on the line.
The Indians led the Tigers by seven games on May 23, but they’d lost 15 of 20 entering Wednesday’s game. They were shut down by Detroit’s Justin Verlander on Tuesday night, and for a little while Wednesday, the bad breaks continued. Carlos Santana’s drive down the right-field line went foul in the first inning, narrowly missing a home run. He then grounded into a double play.
Brennan Boesch hit a solo homer for Detroit in the bottom half to open the scoring, and Miguel Cabrera followed with a two-out grounder that handcuffed third baseman Jack Hannahan for a single. The Tigers eventually loaded the bases, and Alex Avila drove home two more runs with a single.
But the Indians took advantage of an erratic start by Brad Penny. Asdrubal Cabrera led off the fourth with a single, and after a walk to Choo Shin-soo, Matt LaPorta and Orlando Cabrera hit RBI singles. Following a sacrifice bunt by Hannahan, Lou Marson tied the game with a single.
Phillies 8, Marlins 1 Gm. 1
Phillies 5, Marlins 4 Gm. 2
Rockies 6, Padres 3
Reds 7, Dodgers 2
Nationals 10, Cardinals 0
Yankees 12, Rangers 4
Blue Jays 4, Orioles 1
Mets 4, Braves 0
Red Sox 3, Rays 0
Brewers 9, Cubs 5
Pirates 7, Astros 3
Twins 4, White Sox 1
Giants 5, D-backs 2
A’s 2, Royals 1
Mariners 3, Angels 1