Indians take game one in doubleheader against Tigers; three takeaways

1. Ninth inning heroics

The Indians held a 2-1 lead over the Tigers after Edwin Encarnacion hit solo-homer to left field in the sixth inning. In the eighth inning, however, Detroit tied the game at two runs apiece on a Mikie Mahtook RBI single.

With one out, Indians manager Terry Francona brought in Jay Bruce to pinch hit for Giovanny Urshela. In the fourth pitch of the at-bat, Bruce smacked an 82 mph slider to center field that narrowly missed clearing the wall. The hit was good enough for Bruce to easily make it into third base.

 

In the next at-bat, Francisco Lindor followed up Bruce with a single of his own on a 95 mph two-seamer to drive Bruce home give the Tribe a one-run lead.

Those heroics continued into the bottom of the ninth as well. Cody Allen gave up three singles to load the bases in the inning. The third one to Alex Presley should have driven in a run, but thanks to a great throw by Lonnie Chisenhall in center, the Tigers were unable to score.

Joe Smith came in to face Miguel Cabrera, who lined out to Lindor to end the game. When all was said and done, Allen earned the win while Smith got the save.

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