CLEVELAND, Ohio – Things went awry south during the fourth inning for Indians who started pitcher Carlos Carrasco again, and Cleveland’s offense remained a frustrating trend by not being able to come up with coupling hits in a 7-4 loss to the Tigers on Sunday at Progressive Field.
Detroit hitters jumped on Carrasco for three runs in the fourth and clubbed three home runs for the second time in three games. The Tigers had a total of 13 hits since capturing their first series win in Cleveland since September 2018.
Carrasco, after working through the first two innings, appeared to find a rhythm in the third. But Niko Goodrum’s lead to the right field in the fourth provided a big inning for Detroit. JaCoby Jones doubled, and Jorge Bonifacio took Carrasco deep to center for a 4-1 Tigers lead. Rookie Isaac Paredes then dropped off four field goals in a roller coaster on a roller coaster that ended with a double to the left, behind Carrasco of the game.
In his last three outings, Carrasco has allowed a combination of 10 earned runs on 16 hits with an uncharacteristic nine runs in just 12 total innings. Indian acting manager Sandy Alomar Jr. said all indications were that Carrasco had a strong preegame bullpen session, but once the game started he could not differentiate his stage distribution.
“Sometimes he had to quit and he didn’t do it, he kept everything under control,” Alomar said. “‘He didn’t have his breaking ball. He didn’t change his eyes.’
Carrasco said he made an adjustment after his previous start with the goal of improving his command, but as the game went on, he lost control of his fastball.
“It was everywhere,” he said. ‘I tried to get it back to where it was before in the first inning. I felt more aggressive in the first inning than the last three. It was completely different. ”
Logan Allen lost to Carrasco and worked 4 2/3 innings, making three more runs, including a Grayson Greiner solo homer in the sixth. Alomar said Allen gave the Indians a chance to rest their bullpen for a big upcoming series against Minnesota starting Monday.
“He gave us what we needed,” Alomar said of Allen. “He keeps his spirits up.”
Cleveland hitters, meanwhile, failed to come up with big hits when they were most needed – a continuing trend through the first 28 games of the season. The Indians played seven base runners and went 1-for-10 with laps in scoring position. Jordan Luplow went 2-for-3 with a double, but the bottom third of the batting order was a combined 0-for-9 with six strikeouts in the first six innings.
Greg Allen’s three run home run in the ninth off Tigers reliever Joe Jimenez cut Cleveland’s deficit to three runs, but Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire called Jose Cisnero out of the bullpen. Cisnero knocked out Cesar Hernandez before Jose Ramirez retired on a ground to save for his first career in six chances.
Alomar said Allen’s swing from the left side of the plate has improved, and he’s going to have a chance to get some at-bats up while Delino DeShields nurses a bad hip.
‘He did some good at-bats and that swing with his left hand was pretty good. He beat a home team that put us back in the game, but unfortunately we could not continue the rally. ”
Hernandez led the first inning with a home team to right field, his first of the season and the first Indians leadoff homer by anyone next to Francisco Lindor since Leonys Martin hit one April 14 last year against Kansas City.
Lindor went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in appearing four records after collecting three hits in Saturday’s win. Ramirez collected a few hits including a double, and Franmil Reyes was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, stranding two runners in scoring position.
Carlos Santana, who grabbed a streak of 32 record appearances without a walk when basing a base on balls against Tigers rookie starter Tarik Skubal in the first inning, saw his batting average dip to .187 after he went 0-for-3. Santana still leads baseball with 29 walks, six more than Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski.
Skubal, Detroit’s ninth-round draft pick in 2018, just made his second start of the major leagues. He struck out five and allowed just one run in 2 1/3 innings before Gardenhire went into Daniel Norris in the third. Norris shut down Indian hitters for 3 2/3 innings, leaving only two hits and four outings.
Next: The home run continues as the Indians welcome the Twins for three games beginning Monday. Aaron Civale (3-2, 2.91 ERA) starts Monday’s series opener against Twins referee Kenta Maeda (3-0, 2.27). First pitch is set for 7:10 pm MLB Network, SportsTime Ohio, WTAM 1100 and WMMS 100.7 FM will carry the game.
–
New Indian face masks for sale: Here you can buy Cleveland Indians face masks for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All proceeds from MLB donate to charity.
More coverage from Indians
Terry Francona will not manage the Cleveland Indians again Friday against Detroit
Will the Cleveland Indians run the clubhouse chemistry when they bring back Mike Clevinger or Zach Plesac? (podcast)
Repairing Francisco Lindor could be as simple as the Cleveland Indians getting Frankie to relax
Beau Taylor’s preparation paid off for Cleveland Indians in win against Pittsburgh
Cleveland Indians, example of Detroit Tigers series, pitchups for matchups
Why choose Triston McKenzie and three other things about the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians turn to drumming and dancing to keep energy high with no fans in stands
