Indians at Tigers
The Cleveland Indians had been winning despite an offense that was struggling to produce big innings, and it finally caught up to them on Saturday with a 4-2 loss in 12 innings. The Indians will try to bounce back and push a few extra runs across when they visit the Detroit Tigers in the rubber match of their three-game set on Sunday.
Cleveland scored a total of 10 runs in three consecutive wins, topping out with a 4-1 win in Friday's series opener, but it could not manage even that level of offense on Saturday and put itself in danger of losing the series. The Tigers are coming to the end of a brutal stretch that saw them lose series to the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox before hosting the American League Central-leading Indians. Detroit gave itself a chance at a series win on Saturday, when Jeimer Candelario belted a two-run, walk-off home run in the 12th. Candelario and the rest of the Tigers' lineup could have a tougher time against reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber on Sunday while they counter with fellow right-hander Artie Lewicki.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (9-2, 1.96 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Artie Lewicki (0-1, 3.86)
Kluber could be on his way to a third Cy Young Award and has allowed a total of one run in 19 1/3 innings over his last three starts while striking out 24. The Stetson product hasn't walked a batter in any of his last five starts and handed out just 10 free passes in 91 2/3 innings on the season. Kluber had little trouble against Detroit on April 9, when he scattered two hits and one walk in eight scoreless innings while striking out a season-high 13.
Lewicki made a spot start at Boston on Tuesday and will get a chance to prove he belongs in the rotation. The 26-year-old was reached for four runs - two earned - on five hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings in a loss against the Red Sox. Lewicki, who is still searching for his first major-league win entering his third career start and 12th appearance overall, scattered three hits across four scoreless innings of relief against Cleveland on May 16.
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians LHP Andrew Miller (knee) is throwing in the bullpen but is not yet ready for a rehab assignment.
2. Detroit DH Victor Martinez went 2-for-3 on Saturday, doubling his hit total from the previous four games.
3. Cleveland 1B Edwin Encarnacion (ankle) sat out Saturday and is day-to-day.