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Salazar, Indians blank Tigers

Sep 4, 2014 - 3:06 AM Cleveland, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Danny Salazar tossed his first career shutout as the Cleveland Indians topped the Detroit Tigers 7-0 at Progressive Field.

Salazar (6-6) gave up eight hits and struck out nine with no walks.

"I thought it was good for him that he could prove to himself that he can stay out there," said Cleveland manager Terry Francona. "He held his velocity the entire game."

Jose Ramirez had three hits with an RBI and Carlos Santana added a two-run homer for the Indians, who are four games back of the Tigers for the American League's second wild-card spot.

Detroit starter Justin Verlander (12-12) was tagged for seven runs -- six earned -- on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings.

The Tigers, who won the first two installments of this four-game set, are a game-and-a-half behind AL Central-leading Kansas City.

"Really, Salazar pitched well," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said of Salazar. "He overpowered us at times. That's the best I've seen him throw. They beat us tonight. We'll move on and get them tomorrow."

For the second straight game, Santana blasted a two-run homer in the first inning.

Unlike Tuesday, when J.D. Martinez's three-run homer in the ninth lifted Detroit to a 4-2 victory, the Indians continued to add on.

Lonnie Chisenhall doubled home Jason Kipnis from first in the fourth and scored on Yan Gomes' bloop single.

Verlander was chased in the seventh after surrendering consecutive run-scoring hits to Michael Bourn and Ramirez with two outs. Michael Brantley plated Ramirez with a single off Pat McCoy.

Game Notes

The Indians were 4-for-9 with runners in scoring position ...Verlander had seven strikeouts and one walk ... Seven of the eight Detroit hits were singles.