Guardians 4 - 6 Tigers
Final
  for this game

Tigers hang on to sweep Indians

Sep 15, 2014 - 2:54 AM Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Ian Kinsler hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning and the Detroit Tigers held on Sunday to beat the Cleveland Indians 6-4 and complete a three-game sweep.

Carlos Santana hit an RBI double for the Indians in the ninth inning and they had runners at first and second with no outs, but Joe Nathan escaped the jam mostly due to a double play and earned his 32nd save.

J.D. Martinez had a solo homer for the AL Central-leading Tigers, who have won six of their last seven. Justin Verlander went just 5 2/3 innings in the win, giving up three runs, six hits and three walks.

"Every game is huge, and really it has been now for over a week," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.

The Indians took a 3-1 lead with two runs in the sixth, chasing Verlander from the game.

Yan Gomes singled, but the rally didn't come until after Verlander struck out David Murphy and Lonnie Chisenhall. Roberto Perez followed with a base hit and reliever Blaine Hardy walked the first batter he faced, Michael Bourn. Jose Ramirez hit an RBI single and a run scored when Hardy hit Michael Brantley.

Kyle Crockett replaced Indians starter Trevor Bauer in the bottom of the sixth after the starter gave up an RBI single to Martinez, letting the Tigers pull within 3-2.

In the seventh, Rajai Davis led off with a single and Kinsler knocked a 3-1 pitch from Bryan Shaw (5-5) over the left-center field wall to give Detroit the lead.

The Tigers added two runs in the eighth on a wild pitch and fielder's choice.

After Verlander worked out of a bases-loaded jam with one out in the top of the fourth, Martinez hit his 22nd homer of the season in the bottom of the inning, a two-out blast to straightaway center field.

But the Indians tied the score in the top of the fifth inning after Bourn drew a leadoff walk, stole second base, went to third on Brantley's single and came home on Santana's sacrifice fly.

"The only alternative is to show up tomorrow and win," Indians manager Terry Francona said.

Game Notes

Phil Coke (5-2) pitched the seventh inning for the win ... The Tigers went 7-1 in their last eight games against the Indians and won the season series 11-8 ... The Indians remain on the road to play Houston in a four-game series starting Monday ... The Tigers start a six-game road trip on Monday against Minnesota.






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