• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Surging Indians continue series with Tigers

Aug 26, 2008 - 2:27 PM Cleveland (63-67) at Detroit (64-67), 7:05 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Cleveland Indians marched to the American League Championship Series last season, but their production has been a far cry from that in 2008. However, a recent surge is salvaging a season mired with injuries and disappointment.

The torrid Indians look to extend their season-high, eight-game winning streak as they continue a three-game set with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.

The Indians have finally found a groove recently, winning 14 of their last 17. Their offense, missing injured sluggers Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner for much of the season, has averaged 5.8 runs in the last 17 contests.

Franklin Gutierrez belted a solo homer in the 10th inning in a 4-3 triumph in the opener.

The outfielder, who is 11-for-28 (.393) with 10 RBI during the winning streak, also drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning during the Indians' 4-3 win against the Texas Rangers on Sunday. After sweeping the Rangers, Cleveland has also won seven in a row on the road.

"That's the first time that's happened to me," Gutierrez said. "I've been having some good games in the late innings."

Grady Sizemore homered twice in the opener, making him the first player in the majors to reach the 30-homer, 30-stolen base plateau this season. Sizemore also became the 14th American League player to reach that milestone.

One of the most consistent cogs on the Indians has been hurler and Cy Young candidate Cliff Lee (18-2, 2.43 ERA). Lee can become the AL's first 19-game winner if he can rattle off his seventh straight victory.

The 29-year-old lefthander has held opponents to two runs or less in eight of his last 10 outings.

The Tigers counter with rookie righthander Chris Lambert, who will be making his major-league debut.

The 25-year-old Boston College product was 12-8 with a 3.50 ERA in 26 starts with Class AAA Toledo this season. He was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007 when the Tigers sent lefthander Mike Maroth packing.