CLEVELAND, Ohio – Jason Kipnis hit an RBI triple in the eighth inning and the Indians rallied for a 7-6 win over the Tigers on Friday night.
The Tribe hit three home runs and overcame a lackluster start by Trevor Bauer in the victory.
Kipnis almost made it four home runs in the eighth, but the crew chief overturned what was originally called a two-run homer. The review took two minutes and 17 seconds. It was overturned and Kipnis was awarded with a Triple that gave the Indians a 6-5 lead. The veteran scored later in the inning on Jake Bauers’ sacrifice fly to make it 7-5.
Bauer struggled for the Tribe. He allowed five runs and ten hits in four innings. Bauer had problems from the start, issuing a nine-pitch walk to begin the game. It was the complete opposite of the four hit shutout he threw on Sunday in Detroit.
Bauer unraveled in the fifth, giving up four straight hits to start the inning, including a home run and an RBI double.
The Indians fought back after the Tigers took a 5-2 lead. Tyler Naquin and Jordan Luplow both hit solo home runs in the fifth and sixth inning. Roberto Perez followed it up with an RBI single to tie the game 5-5.
Nick Goody entered the game in the fifth inning with runners on second and third and no outs. He issued a walk, before getting a strikeout, line out and pop up to end the inning. He prevented the Tigers from blowing the game wide open.
Carlos Santana, hit a two-run homer in the first inning for the Tribe. It was No. 16 on the season, which is the most on the team. Santana is a finalist to start at first base for the American League in the All-Star Game next month.
2 on the board from the rumored to be ALL-STAR, @TheRealSlamtana!!!Watch @Indians ⚾ on FOX Sports GO: https://t.co/iajIrP5ZOU pic.twitter.com/Ww38igScJz
— SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio) June 21, 2019Brad Hand allowed a run in the ninth, but still picked up his 21st save of the year. It was the first run he had given up since May 10.
Tyler Naquin made a diving grab in right field that helped derail the Tigers' comeback attempt. The Indians picked up a double play on the catch, which propelled them in the ninth inning.
The Indians improve to 40-35 on the season and 21-17 at Progressive Field.
Kipnis’ Streak – The veteran second baseman told reporters he figured out what was wrong with his swing after Saturday’s win over Detroit. Since then, he’s posted a .455/.520/1.000 slash line with three home runs and 11 RBI.
Injury Update – Indians starter Corey Kluber continues to do lower-body exercises in his quest to return to the mound. He'll have an eight-week checkup next week. That appointment will determine what's next for the two-time Cy Young Award winner.
Up Next – Aaron Civale will make his first career start on Saturday for the Indians. Mike Clevinger was originally scheduled to start, but the Indians placed him on the 10-day injured list with a sprained ankle on Friday.
Civale is 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in two starts for Triple-A Columbus. His year began at Class AA Akron, where he posted a 4-0 record with a 2.67 ERA in five starts.
Spencer Turnbull will be on the mound for Detroit. He enters with a 3.27 ERA and a 3-6 record on the season.
