Kipnis keys Indians past Tigers
DETROIT -- Jason Kipnis drove in three runs with two triples and Lonnie Chisenhall had a two-run triple to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 7-4 victory over Detroit that was their seventh straight win over the Tigers this season.
Danny Salazar (9-3) wasn't his sharpest but kept Detroit scoreless through four and wound up lasting 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits plus five walks to help Cleveland extend its season-best winning streak to seven games. The Indians are 7-0 against the Tigers, who had their four-game winning streak ended.
Dan Otero pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings, Brian Shaw worked a scoreless eighth and Cody Allen allowed an RBI single to Cameron Maybin in the ninth before finishing up the win.
There was some drama at the finish as center fielder Rajai Davis juggled a deep fly ball in right center before securing the catch as he slammed into the scoreboard. Detroit's runners on first and second did not tag up and the ball was relayed in to first for a game-ending double play.
Jordan Zimmermann (9-4) lasted just 3 2/3 innings in his shortest start of the season. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three. Mike Pelfrey made his first relief appearance of the season and worked 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and no walks.
Two singles plus a walk loaded the bases for Detroit in the fifth, leading to three runs off Salazar.
Ian Kinsler singled in the first and the other two came home when Maybin hit into an RBI force at second and shortstop Francisco Lindor threw the ball wildly to first for an error.
Seven of the nine hits Zimmermann allowed came with two strikes.
Kipnis tripled two batters after a pair of one-out singles in the third to break a scoreless tie and Chisenhall tripled home two in the fourth after a triple by Jose Ramirez and a hit batter.
Chris Gimenez singled in Chisenhall and scored on a double by Carlos Santana. Kipnis followed with another triple again to score Santana and drive Zimmermann out of the game. The Indians led 7-0.
NOTES: Tigers SS Jose Iglesias got the day off Friday, with UTL Andrew Romine taking his place in manager Brad Ausmus' lineup. Iglesias was hitting .200 off Indians' starter RHP Danny Salazar. ... Indians' C Yan Gomes didn't start for the second game in a row as he recuperates from having a cyst in his back drained. "He's available as the backup," manager Terry Francona said. "He should be able to play (Saturday). I just didn't want to push it." ... Detroit signed its No. 1 draft choice, RHP Matt Manning of Sheldon High School in Sacramento, Calif., for an estimated slot bonus of more than $3.5 million. ... Cleveland CF Rajai Davis returned to the starting lineup after sitting out a game. His 21 steals lead the league, prompting his manager from last year, Brad Ausmus, to say, "That's a shock."