Tigers 9, Indians 2 (Game 2)
CLEVELAND -- J.D. Martinez had three hits and three RBIs and Detroit got strong work from its bullpen as the Tigers beat the Cleveland Indians 9-2 in the second game of a doubleheader at Progressive Field on Sunday.
Cleveland won the first game 7-2 as rookie right-hander Cody Anderson (4-3) out-pitched veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (3-8). In the opener, the Indians' offense was led by first baseman Chris Johnson, who had three hits and two RBIs, and shortstop Francisco Lindor, who had two hits and two RBIs. With that win the Indians' record, stood at 70-70, the first time they had been at the .500 mark since April 10, when they were 2-2.
But the loss in the second game of the doubleheader dropped the wild-card-chasing Indians below the .500 mark once again.
In the second game, right fielder Martinez had a two-run single in the third inning and an RBI double in the sixth as the Tigers pounded six Cleveland pitchers for 15 hits.
The Indians scored two runs on three hits in the first inning, then were held scoreless on two hits over the last eight innings by four Detroit pitchers.
Right-hander Drew VerHagen (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings of relief to pick up his first major league win. Right-hander Trevor Bauer (11-12) gave up six runs in three innings in taking the loss.
Leading 7-2 after five innings the Tigers added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, left fielder Tyler Collins drew a one-out walk and then scored on a two-out double by Martinez off right-hander Austin Adams.
In the seventh inning, facing right-hander Gavin Floyd, third baseman Nick Castellanos singled, went to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by shortstop Andrew Romine.
NOTES: Slumping Indians 2B Jason Kipnis did not start the second game of the doubleheader. Kipnis, who hit .323 in the first half of the season and was selected to the AL All-Star team, is hitting .189 (18-for-95) since Aug. 1. ... INF Chris Johnson is hitting .372 (16-for-43) since the Indians acquired him in a trade with Atlanta on Aug. 7. ... Tigers RHP Justin Verlander's loss in the first game of the doubleheader dropped his career record in 24 starts at Progressive Field to 9-13 with a 5.38 ERA. His 13 losses are the most by any opposing pitcher in Cleveland since 1960.