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Dellucci, Martinez rally Indians past Tigers

Jun 2, 2007 - 3:56 AM CLEVELAND (Ticker) - The Cleveland Indians simply refuse to lose to the Detroit Tigers.

David Dellucci capped a five-run ninth inning and the Indians, aided by two home runs by Victor Martinez, defeated the Tigers, 12-11, on Friday.

Cleveland, which has defeated Detroit in all five games this season, now leads the Tigers by 4 1/2 games in the American League Central Division.

"It was just an incredible win," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "The guys just kept fighting. I don't know what else you can say. It was an unbelievable game and an unbelievable finish."

With the Indians trailing, 11-7, in the ninth, Martinez blasted a three-run home run.

"When Vic hit that homer we all thought we had a shot," Indians first baseman Ryan Garko said. "That was a turning point but that's what Vic does. He's the heart of the team."

Martinez, who blasted a solo shot in the fourth inning, now has five of his 12 homers against Detroit this season. The red-hot Martinez also has an RBI in eight straight games.

"I just went out there looking for good pitches, and put up good at-bats," Martinez said.

With two outs in the ninth, Josh Barfield singled to right to tie the game before Dellucci's single to center ended it.

"I haven't had lot of luck up there, but hopefully this is a sign of things to come," Dellucci said. "To finish a ballgame off in that fashion, I am just happy to be a part of it."

Detroit reliever Todd Jones (1-3) suffered his fourth blown save of the season, allowing five runs - all earned - and seven hits in the final frame.

"There's nothing I can say," Jones said. "I got pounded. We needed a win against these guys. We needed a win for ourselves and I didn't get it done. I just got crushed tonight. There's not much else I can say."

The Tigers looked to have successfully turned the game in their favor in the seventh. After watching their team squander a four-run lead in the sixth inning, Placido Polanco and Magglio Ordonez highlighted the four-run seventh with RBI singles. Polanco finished with four hits and Ordonez three for Detroit.

"When you're up four runs with three outs to go, you feel more comfortable than the other guy," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "But you're not feeling like it's over."

Tigers starter Mike Maroth (3-2), who allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings, was looking to improve to 7-0 at Jacobs Field. Instead, he left with a no-decision.

For the first five innings, it appeared to be an easy night for Maroth, who allowed just one run on four hits. Holding a 5-1 lead in the sixth inning, however, Maroth surrendered a pair of two-run homers, one to Jhonny Peralta and another to Jason Michaels.

Cleveland starter Fausto Carmona (6-1) struggled from the outset and didn't get much better as the game went along.

"They were having a lot of hitter's counts," Martinez said. "It was one of those days. He was throwing the ball great, but he was still able to battle and give us six innings."

The righthander, who surrendered five runs on 10 hits in six innings, yielded run-scoring singles to Polanco and Sean Casey in the first.

Craig Monroe's two-out, two-run blast in the sixth inning staked the Tigers to a 5-1 lead. The blast was the second home run in as many days for the 30-year-old left fielder.

While Detroit pounded out 15 hits, Gary Sheffield took the collar. Sheffield, who was ejected Thursday night for arguing with home plate umpire Greg Gibson, went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.