Guardians 4 - 6 Tigers
Final
  for this game

Tigers shoot for sweep of Tribe

Sep 14, 2014 - 11:58 AM (SportsNetwork.com) - If the Detroit Tigers are going to get to the postseason they are going to need Justin Verlander, to be , well, Justin Verlander.

The former American League Cy Young Award winner and MVP takes the hill on Sunday when the Tigers go after a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park.

Verlander beat the Kansas City Royals on Monday, although he was not particularly sharp, as he allowed four runs and six hits in seven innings to improve to 13-12 to go along with a 4.82 ERA.

"I think this team has a confidence level, having been here," said Verlander, who has won three of his last four starts "Most of us in the locker room have been here and experienced games in September that mean this much -- high- intensity games in September. We did it a couple years ago when we were chasing the White Sox. That experience is extremely valuable when you get into these situations, and hopefully we can draw from that."

Verlander, though, was shelled by the Tribe two starts ago to the tune of four runs and six hits in seven innings. He is just 18-6 lifetime against them with a 4.42 ERA in 39 starts.

The Indians, meanwhile, will turn to righty Trevor Bauer, who is 5-8 with a 4.12 ERA. Bauer lost to Minnesota on Tuesday, as he allowed four runs and four hits in eight innings. He also struck out eight in the loss, his fourth in his last five decisions.

Bauer is a perfect 2-0 in four starts versus the Tigers with a 4.88 ERA.

Detroit has won the first two games of this set and on Saturday, Alex Avila hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to lift the Tigers to a 5-4 victory.

Victor Martinez smacked a solo homer for the Tigers, who remained a half-game ahead of the Royals for first in AL Central. Kansas City beat the Red Sox on Saturday.

"It was an excellent at-bat by Alex," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "He got ahold of one right in the sweet spot."

Kyle Lobstein got the start for Detroit and gave up four runs on six hits over five innings. Joba Chamberlain (2-5) tossed a scoreless eighth to pick up the win.

Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer for the Indians, who have lost the first two contests of this three-game set. Mike Aviles drove in two runs.

Cleveland starter Danny Salazar allowed three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. Bryan Shaw (5-4) gave up the homer to Avila.

"A loss like this is obviously tough, but losing one game isn't going to make the difference," said Shaw.

Detroit has won 10 of its 18 matchups with the Indians this season.






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