Tigers 6 - 4 Guardians
Final
  for this game

Tigers hold on against Tribe

Jun 21, 2014 - 5:55 AM Cleveland, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - J.D. Martinez belted a three-run homer, Victor Martinez had a two-run shot and the Detroit Tigers held on to beat the Cleveland Indians 6-4 on Friday night to start a three-game series.

Down 5-0, the Indians scored four runs off reliever Ian Krol in the eighth inning on homers by Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana to make a game of it, but Joe Nathan worked around a single in the ninth inning for his 15th save.

Michael Brantley looped a two-out single into center field and stole second base before Nathan struck out Michael Bourn swinging on a 3-2 fastball to end the game.

J.D. Martinez had three hits -- the only Tigers player with more than one -- and homered for the third straight game.

Rick Porcello (9-4) picked up the win, just his second in his last six starts, after throwing six scoreless innings. The right-hander gave up six hits, one walk and struck out three.

"I had a good fastball. The changeup was a big pitch tonight building out of some situations," Porcello said. "The way the guys played defense tonight was fantastic too."

Corey Kluber (6-5) remained winless in his last four starts after allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk in seven innings. He struck out six.

After Miguel Cabrera hit a leadoff single in the fourth, Victor Martinez lined the next pitch into the right-field seats for his 18th homer of the season and a 2-0 Tigers lead.

"Unfortunately, the mistake I made to Victor was a big one," said Kluber.

John Axford intentionally walked Victor Martinez with two outs in the eighth inning and Miguel Cabrera on second base. J.D. Martinez made the Indians pay, stroking a first-pitch fastball to right field for his seventh homer of the season, giving the Tigers a 5-0 lead.

But the game tightened quickly.

Mike Aviles and Bourn hit consecutive singles off Krol to start the bottom of the eighth before Asdrubal Cabrera teed off on an 0-2 curveball, sending it over the left-field wall for his eighth homer.

Santana homered with one out, driving his 10th of the season to left field to get the Indians within 5-4. Krol was replaced by Joba Chamberlain with two outs and Chamberlain struck out Nick Swisher to end the inning.

"We were able to muster through it," said Tigers manager Brad Ausmus. "Krol obviously had an off day. It just wasn't his day. Fortunately Joba came in to get the last out."

Rajai Davis doubled off Marc Rzepczynski to start the top of the ninth and scored when Ian Kinsler hit a two-out double off Carlos Carrasco to pad the Tigers lead.

Game Notes

J.D. Martinez has 18 hits and 14 RBI in 13 games this month ... The Tigers began nine-game road trip ... The Indians went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position, stranding six.






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