Tigers 8, Indians 5
CLEVELAND -- Yoenis Cespedes had a double, a home run and three RBIs as the Detroit Tigers continued their mastery over the Indians, beating Cleveland 8-5 Monday night at Progressive Field.
Detroit improved to 8-2 against Cleveland this season.
The Tigers jumped out to a 7-3 lead through four innings, led by Cespedes, who had an RBI double in the first inning, a solo home run in the third and a sacrifice fly in the fourth.
Most of that came against Cleveland right-hander Trevor Bauer (6-4), who gave up seven runs on nine hits in three innings.
The Indians scored three runs in the third inning, matching their offensive output over 27 innings while losing two of three games to Tampa Bay over the weekend.
Detroit left-hander Blaine Hardy (3-1) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless and hitless innings in relief of right-hander Kyle Ryan to get the win.
Cespedes, Detroit's left fielder, finished 3-for-3. Second baseman Ian Kinsler, first baseman Miguel Cabrera and shortstop Jose Iglesias added two hits apiece for the Tigers.
Detroit took a 1-0 lead in the first inning off Bauer. With one out, Kinsler singled and went to third on a single by Cabrera. With two outs, Cespedes doubled to right field, scoring Kinsler.
The Tigers made it 2-0 with a run in the second inning. Third baseman Andrew Romine doubled, went to third on an infield single by shortstop Jose Iglesias and scored when Kinsler grounded into a forceout.
A home run by Cespedes leading off the third inning extended the Tigers' lead to 3-0.
The Indians rallied for three runs in the third inning to tie it. Third baseman Giovanny Urshela walked and went to third on a double to right by catcher Roberto Perez. Both runners scored on a double to right-center by second baseman Jason Kipnis, who extended his hitting streak to a career-high 17 games by going 2-for-5.
Center fielder Michael Brantley's single to center brought home Kipnis with the tying run.
Bauer was knocked out before recording an out in the fourth, allowing the first five batters of the inning to reach base. Iglesias singled and went to second on a single by center fielder Anthony Gose. Kinsler walked to load the bases. Cabrera also walked, forcing in Iglesias and giving Detroit a 4-3 lead.
Designated hitter Victor Martinez singled to right, scoring Gose and Kinsler to make it 6-3. Right-hander Jeff Manship relieved Bauer, and Cespedes greeted Manship with a sacrifice fly, driving in Cabrera to give Detroit a 7-3 lead.
In three-plus innings, Bauer threw 88 pitches and gave up seven runs on nine hits and four walks with three strikeouts.
Ryan lasted just 3 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks with no strikeouts.
Outside of the third inning, the Indians were held to one run on five hits. Pinch hitter David Murphy hit a home run off right-hander Joba Chamberlain in the eighth inning. It was Murphy's third pinch homer of the year, the most in the American League. It also ties the Cleveland franchise record for pinch home runs in a season, a mark achieved five other times.
A sacrifice fly by third baseman Andrew Romine in the ninth inning accounted for Detroit's final run.
Perez hit a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth off right-hander Joakim Soria for Cleveland's final run.
NOTES: Indians C Yan Gomes was not in the starting lineup for the third time in the past four games due to a stiff neck. ... Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera came into the game with a career .364 batting average against the Indians, with 40 home runs and 127 RBIs in 536 at-bats. ... Detroit C James McCann threw out 50 percent of attempted base-stealers (12 of 24) this season through the weekend.