Special to the Michigan Chronicle
The Detroit Tigers closed out a 10-game home stand on Sunday, April 26, by beating the Cleveland Indians 8 -6. The home team was 5-5 during the span.
By winning back-to-back games against the Indians, the Tigers took the series, two games to one. However, the weekend didn’t begin on such a positive note for the Tigers, as they lost Friday’s series opener 13-1. The lost was their fourth straight defeat. Prior to the 13-1 thumping by Cleveland, Detroit had lost three of four games to the visiting New York Yankees.
Yet, on Saturday, the Tigers bounced back with a 4-1 win against the Indians. Starting pitcher Alfredo Simon went 6 and 2/3rd innings to get the win; his record is now a perfect 4-0. The bullpen helped secure the victory with a solid outing from late-innings reliever Tom Gorzelanny. Closer Joakim Simon pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 6th save. Cleveland’s starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco took the loss.
Offensively, Detroit pitchers got plenty of help from center fielder Rajai Davis, who extended his hitting streak to eight consecutive games. He also stole three bases and scored three runs. Designated Hitter Victor Martinez contributed with three RBI hits. Indians manager, Terry Francona, in a display of great respect and greater fear of first sacker Miguel Cabrera, refused to pitch to the former MVP winner. Francona ordered his pitchers to intentionally walk Cabrera four times, three of which were intentionally. The four-walk game was a career high for Cabrera; the three intentionally walks tied a career high.
The three games between Detroit and Cleveland also spotlighted the Tigers’ 13th Annual Negro Leagues Weekend (21st Annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game). It is Major League Baseball’s longest three-day celebration of the diamond action of storied Negro Leagues Baseball teams of yesteryear.
The celebratory weekend began with a luncheon at Comerica Park’s Tiger Club, where current Tigers pitcher David Price, along with many former African American Tigers players were on hand, inclusive of Willie Horton, Jake Wood, Rod Allen, and Craig Monroe. Former second base great Lou Whitaker, who was a member of the Tigers’ 1984 World Champion team, was honored. Special guests at the luncheon included the daughters of the late Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, an outstanding Negro Leagues player, who is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Prior to the start of Saturday’s game, eight former Negro Leagues players were recognized during a special on-field ceremony. Those honored were Melvin Duncan, Eugene Scruggs, Bill Hill, Charlie Davis, Walt Owens, Pedro Sierra, Ron Teasley and Jake Sanders. During Saturday’s game, both the Tigers and Indians donned throwback Negro Leagues uniforms. The Tigers suited up as the Detroit Stars; the Indians suited up as the Cleveland Buckeyes. Former Negro Leagues player, Melvin Duncan, threw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch.
Just before the start of Sunday’s game, the Tigers presented Sweet Lou Whitaker with its 2015 Detroit Tigers African American Legacy Award during an on-field ceremony. Whitaker, who deserves to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame, threw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch.
Former recipients of the Tigers African American Legacy Award have included, Jake Wood, Earl Wilson, Larry Herndon, and Billy Bruton. Wood, who came up through the Tigers’ Farm System, is believed to be the first Black player to play a “full season” for the Tigers when he took the field as a second baseman in 1961.
With the ceremonial atmosphere of the Negro Leagues Weekend resonating throughout Comerica Park, the Tigers took care of the Indians (8-6) in the series finale. Left-hander Kyle Lobstein picked up the win; he’s 2-1 on the season. Soria notched his league-leading 7th save. Davis once again was an offensive weapon for Detroit with three hits, while scoring three runs. Cabrera, who has punished Indian pitching throughout his career, added three more hits, one of which was a two-run, opposite-field homer. The blast over the right field wall was Cabrera’s third round tripper of the young season. J.D. Martinez also got in on the 13-hit Detroit attack, with a two-run, bases-loaded double that helped the team begin a two-game winning streak.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus added. “It was good to win two out of three, after losing three out of four to the Yankees,” he said. “We now have a tough road trip staring us in the face.”
The Tigers head out for a 10-game road trip and will play the Minnesota Twins, defending American League Champions, Kansas City Royals, and the Chicago White Sox. The Tigers hit the road with a 13 – 6 record. The team returns to Comerica Park on Friday, May 8 for a three-game series again the Royals.
See more highlight photos below:
Tigers win over Indians closes three game celebration of annual Negro Leagues Weekend
