Beat Michigan Week is off to a rousing start as the Tribe has taken two from the Motor City Kitties to extend the win streak to 9 and edge themselves into third place in the AL Central by 0.5 game.Â
Franklin Gutierrez was the man of the moment on Monday, cranking a shot out of the yard in the top of the tenth for the deciding run in a 4-3 victory. Gutierrez’ shot landed over the fence, as opposed to a shot the previous inning hit by Edgar Renteria, who struck a pose and watched his shot carry to the warning track. Zachson gave up 3 in 6.1 innings and the bullpen held on.  Three of the 4 of the Indians runs scored on solo home runs: two by Grady (the first, on the second pitch of the game, setting the tone for the game) and Gutierrez’ game-winner.
Cliff Lee was the man of the match on Tuesday, cruising to his 19th win by a 10-4 score. The Indians punished Chris Lambert, who was making his first career start for the MCK, pounding him for 6 runs in 2.2 innings, 4 of which were unearned. Lambert couldn’t make it out of the third inning, which featured back to back shots by Jamey Carroll and Kelly Shoppach, as well as numerous seeing-eye hits and some really egregious defense by the Tigers. Ben Francisco put the exclamation point on the game by blasting two two-run shots, one in the fourth and one in the seventh.
The Tribe has won the series and can extend their win streak to ten and keep third place with a victory tonight. Carmona goes against Verlander, whom the Indians have pwned over the years. In 13 starts against the Indians, Verlander is 4-8 with a 6.51 ERA, including a 1-3 record this year with a 5.84 ERA.
