Tigers catcher Alex Avila misses the throw as Indians pinch runner Lou Marson slides in safely for the eventual winning run in the seventh inning of tonight's game in Cleveland. / Jason Miller/Getty Images
Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Travis Hafner's unlikely triple led to the
game-winning run in the seventh inning, as the Indians squeezed past the
Tigers, 3-2, in the opener of a three-game series between the division foes.
Miguel Cabrera momentarily quieted the Progressive Field crowd by hitting a
game-tying two-run homer in the seventh, but Hafner, with the benefit of a
generous bounce off the left-field wall, legged out a one-out triple in the
bottom half.
A well-executed squeeze bunt by Aaron Cunningham allowed pinch-runner Lou
Marson to slide in safely ahead of Doug Fister's low throw, and Vinnie Pestano
and Chris Perez each threw an inning of relief to close out the tight win.
Cabrera's homer off Joe Smith (6-2) spoiled a winning decision for Ubaldo
Jimenez, who scattered seven hits and two walks over six scoreless innings.
Nonetheless, the Indians won for the second straight night on the heels of a
four-game slide and snapped the AL Central-leading Tigers' five-game winning
streak. Detroit went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded
nine.
Fister (4-7), a winner in his previous three starts, gave up three runs on
nine hits over seven innings to take the loss.
The Sports Network