Second baseman Jose Ramirez belted two homers while Josh Tomlin allowed just one run in 5 2/3 frames as the Cleveland Indians extended their winning streak to 11 games following an 11-1 rout of the detroit tigers Sunday at Comerica Park. Ramirez, a switch-hitter, hit a long ball from both sides of the plate for a franchise-record third time this season to go along with three doubles, matching a Major League record of five extra-base hits. Ramirez also became the first Indian to accomplish the feat since Kelly Shoppach on July 30, 2008.
Tomlin (8-9), in his first start since June 30 after returning from the disabled list, yielded six hits with a walk and two strikeouts as the Indians completed a four-game sweep of the Tigers.
With the win, the Indians (80-56) grabbed a nine-game lead over the second-place Minnesota Twins (71-65) in the American League Central. Francisco Lindor added a solo homer for his 26th long ball of the season while Roberto Perez knocked in two runs for the Indians. During their 11-game winning run, the Indians have outscored their opponents 79-18. This season, the Indians have had two winning streaks of nine or more games. This was the first time that the Indians accomplished this feat since 1954.
Rocky outing for hurler Chad Bell
Chad Bell (0-2) gave up five runs on eight hits with two walks and a strikeout, while Zac Reininger did not fare better, yielding three runs on four hits with a walk and a strikeout in 1 2/3 frames for the Tigers, who slipped to 58-78.
Jacoby Jones provided the only run for the Tigers with an RBI single in the second inning. The Tigers played without designated hitter Victor Martinez, who underwent a procedure to address the irregular heartbeat that sidelined him twice this season. According to Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, Martinez will not return this season, but he is expected to be ready by Spring Training.
Ausmus also clarified that the issue will not end Martinez’s baseball career.
Indians hurler Corey Kluber earns award
Meanwhile, Indians starting hurler Corey Kluber (14-4) was selected as the American League Pitcher of the Month for August. This is the second time that Kluber won the award as he captured it in June. Last month, Kluber went 5-1 with a 1.96 ERA. Kluber credited his aggressiveness in attacking the strike zone as the key to success last month. Kluber’s outstanding month helped the Indians finish August with a 19-9 mark.
