CLEVELAND, OH – The Indians scored in each of the first four innings on Tuesday night to get a much-needed 7-2 win over the Tigers.
The team found out Jason Kipnis would miss the rest of the season prior to the game. It’s one of the many injuries they’ve dealt with this season.
The Indians got on the board in the first inning thanks to Oscar Mercado, who hit a solo home run to give the Tribe a 1-0 lead. Mercado has been on fire in the month of September. He has a .351 batting average with three home runs and eight RBI this month.
-----ed@Indians take a 1-0 lead and Oscar Mercado extends his hitting streak to 8 games. #RallyTogetherSTREAM: https://t.co/xwinQRV8DO pic.twitter.com/s0vIeEXtP0
— SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio) September 17, 2019Cleveland added another run in the second inning when Roberto Perez hit an RBI double that made it 2-0. Jordan Luplow’s pinch-hit 2-RBI triple put the Indians in control in the third. Cleveland scored six of its’ seven runs in the first four innings.
Starter Adam Plutko allowed two runs and four hits in six innings. He issued one walk and finished with six strikeouts. He improves to 7-4 on the year.
The trio of Adam Cimber, Tyler Clippard and Carlos Carrasco each threw a scoreless inning in relief to preserve the win.
The Indians were shorthanded on Tuesday night. Not only did they find out Kipnis was out for the season, but Franmil Reyes missed the game because of a personal matter. Jake Bauers and Luplow split designated hitter duties. Yasiel Puig stepped up with Reyes out, finishing 3-for-5 with an RBI and a double.
Cleveland entered Tuesday’s contest 1½ games behind the Rays for the second American League wild card spot. Tampa Bay is in Los Angeles for a series against the Dodgers.
The Indians improve to 88-63 on the season. They’re 45-31 at home this year. They’ve won six of their last eight games. The Indians have won 15 straight against Detroit and are 16-1 in head-to-head matchups with the Tigers in 2019.
Up Next
The Indians will continue their series against Detroit on Wednesday. Aaron Civale will get the start for the Tribe. He enters with a 3-3 record and a 1.93 ERA. Spencer Turnbull will be on the mound for Detroit. He’s 3-15 this season with a 4.77 ERA.




