This Week In Indians Baseball: Week 17

After wrapping up a series with the Baltimore Orioles, the Indians played host to the Detroit Tigers, taking two of three including a series finale win against Justin Verlander. A trip to Minnesota proved to be a roadblock for the Tribe, with the Twins sweeping them with ease. The Indians dropped to 5.5 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox and four games behind the second-place Tigers.

Game 96: Indians 3, Orioles 1

W: Justin Masterson, L: Tommy Hunter

A Shin-Soo Choo home run carried the Indians to victory. The Tribe’s recent struggles at the plate were showcased on Monday night, but they mustered just enough to back the pitching. Masterson had a solid outing, allowing just one run over 7.1 innings on seven hits and one walk while striking out six. Vinnie Pestano appeared to be in a little bit of trouble after taking the mound and promptly giving up a double to Endy Chavez with Nick Markakis on first. A baserunning blunder from Markakis gave the Indians a little extra help, and helped Pestano escape the inning unscathed. Chris Perez recorded the save. (full recap here)

• Game 97: Indians 3, Tigers 2

W: Joe Smith, L: Doug Fister

With the game tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Indians showed off some clutch hitting. Travis Hafner hit a triple with one out in the inning and was replaced by pinch-runner Lou Marson. Aaron Cunningham proved to be the hero by proving a squeeze bunt, allowing Marson to score the winning run. Strong pitching was also key for the Tribe. Ubaldo Jimenez turned in a good outing, holding the Tigers scoreless through six innings while giving up seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts. The Tigers scored their two runs on a home run off of Joe Smith in the seventh. Pestano and Perez pitched the final two innings, with Perez receiving the save. (full recap here)

• Game 98: Tigers 5, Indians 3

W: Max Scherzer, L: Derek Lowe

It was too little, too late for the Tribe on Wednesday. A blast from Travis Hafner in the bottom of the ninth wasn’t enough to bring the Indians to victory. Lowe struggled on the mound early, allowing all five runs through six innings. With the Indians already down by three, Casey Kotchman sent a ball over the wall for a two-run homer. Aside from the two blasts, the Indians offense continued to be flat. (full recap here)

Game 99: Indians 5, Tigers 3

W: Joe Smith, L: Justin Verlander

Bolstered by a four-run seventh inning, the Indians were able to beat up on Verlander and earn the series win against the Tigers. With the Tigers leading by two, Carlos Santana and Travis Hafner led off the seventh with a home run apiece to tie the game. The Indians added a pair of runs on singles from Asdrubal Cabrera and Jason Kipnis, scoring Jose Lopez and Shin-Soo Choo. Zach McAllister got the no-decision after going 6.1 innings and allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks, while striking out seven. Joe Smith earned the win after getting two outs in the seventh without allowing a base runner. Vinnie Pestano pitched in the eight, receiving the hold and Chris Perez got the save. (full recap here)

• Game 100: Twins 11, Indians 1

W: Scott Diamond, L: Josh Tomlin

The Indians’ lone three hits belonged to Jose Lopez and Travis Hafner, who had two; aside from that, the Indians’ bats were completely silent. The Twins put the game out of reach early, battering Tomlin for eight runs in the first four innings on ten hits. As has become the trend, Tomin struggled with the home run ball, serving up two to Justin Morneau and Josh Willingham, each time with two runners on base. Jeremy Accardo pitched two innings of relief, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks. Cody Allen pitched two innings of scoreless relief for the Tribe. (full recap here)

• Game 101: Twins 12, Indians 5

W: Samuel Deduno, L: Justin Masterson

The pitching woes continued into Saturday with Masterson allowing ten runs in 5.2 innings on seven hits and two walks. Esmil Rogers and Tony Sipp combined for 2.1 innings of relief, each allowing one run. At the plate, the Indians were quiet through much of the game, but added four runs in the eighth and ninth innings. In the eighth, Carlos Santana hit a home run with Jose Lopez on base. In the ninth, the Indians were able to capitalize on mistakes by the Twins with the bases loaded. (full recap here)

Game 102: Twins 5, Indians 1

W: Brian Duensing, L: Ubaldo Jimenez

The Indians scored first on a Shelley Duncan single in the top of the fourth, scoring Shin-Soo Choo. That was the only run for the Tribe, who scattered six hits. Justin Morneau homered in the bottom of the fourth with Josh Willingham on base to give the Twins their first two runs. After adding a run in the fifth, the Twins added two more on a Ben Revere single, scoring Brian Dozier and Denard Span. Jimenez allowed five runs on six hits and three walks over 6,1 innings, striking out six. Tony Sipp pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. (full recap here)