DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera homered and drove in five runs in the first two innings, and Justin Verlander struck out 12 to lift the Detroit Tigers to a 12-0 victory Tuesday night against a Cleveland lineup full of backups.
The Indians clinched the AL Central on Monday night in Detroit, and their starting lineup Tuesday was without Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Mike Napoli and Jose Ramirez. Detroit took full advantage, beating Cleveland for only the third time all year and pulling within a game of Baltimore for the American League’s second wild card.
Verlander (16-8) went 7 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and a walk.
Mike Clevinger (2-3) lasted only two innings, allowing Cabrera’s two-run double in the first and his three-run homer in the second.
Justin Upton added a three-run homer in the seventh, and Andrew Romine hit a two-run shot in the eighth.
Corey Kluber had an MRI in Cleveland on Tuesday, a day after he left his start at Detroit with right groin tightness.
Manager Terry Francona said he didn’t have results yet. He said Kluber was “a little stiff, but not overly tender” — so that was cause for optimism.
The Indians clinched the AL Central title Monday, but their postseason outlook has taken a bit of a hit because of injuries to starting pitchers Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and now Kluber.