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Cleveland Indians’ 20-game win streak over Tigers snapped as Plutko implodes

By Aaron Gershon

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 21: Starting pitcher Adam Plutko #45 of the Cleveland Indians pitches to Niko Goodrum #28 of the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Progressive Field on August 21, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 21: Starting pitcher Adam Plutko #45 of the Cleveland Indians pitches to Niko Goodrum #28 of the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Progressive Field on August 21, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Indians suffered their first loss to the Detroit Tigers since April of 2019 Friday after a rough start from Adam Plutko.

Two winning streaks came to an end in one night for the Cleveland Indians Friday night as they fell to the Detroit Tigers by a final score of 10-5 at Progressive Field.

The loss ended a 20-game winning streak over the Tigers for the Indians as they went 18-1 against their division foes in 2019 and started the 2020 campaign 3-0. Cleveland also saw their overall six-game winning streak snapped as they entered Friday’s game off back to back series sweeps, including one over the Tigers at Comerica Park last weekend.

Cleveland opened in the top of the second as Tyler Naquin hit an RBI double. Domingo Santana plated Franmil Reyes with a ground ball, and Delino DeShields delivered an RBI single to give the Indians an early 3-0 lead on Tigers starter Michael Fulmer.

The Indians added onto their lead in the bottom of the third as Reyes smashed a 418-foot two-run home run to extend the Cleveland lead to 5-0.

With a 5-0 lead and a long winning streak over Detroit, it appeared the Indians were on their way to a laugher; instead, the Tigers growled back.

In the top of the fourth, Detroit ambushed Indians’ starting pitcher Adam Plutko. Jonathan Schoop started the rally with a two-run home run to cut the lead to 5-2. Then, Austin Romine singled home a third run to make it a 5-3 game and loaded the bases for rookie third basemen, Isaac Paredes.

The rookie would deliver the signature moment of his young career as he ripped a grand slam off Plutko for his first career home run and to put the Tigers on top 7-5. Paredes’ grand slam chased Plutko out of the game as he lasted just 3.1 innings and saw his ERA grow from 3.95 to 6.88 after allowing seven earned runs.

Detroit added onto their lead in the top of the seventh as they smacked around reliever Dominic Leone. The Tigers scored three runs in the inning as Victor Reyes blasted a solo home run and Jeimer Candelario smacked a two-run double to extend the lead to 10-5.

As Detroit put up 10 unanswered runs, the Indians bats stayed silent as they were shutout over six innings by the Tigers bullpen as Detroit finished off their streak ending victory.

The Indians’ 20 game winning streak over the Tigers came to an end Friday, but their six-game overall streak was snapped as they fell to 16-10 on the season. Detroit improved to 10-14 on the year with the win and snapped an MLB long nine-game losing skid with the win.

Cleveland’s loss came without manager Terry Francona on the bench. Francona is recovering from a medical procedure to address a gastrointestinal ailment and is unlikely to return to the dugout this weekend.

First-base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. managed the club Friday and will continue to do so until the 61-year-old Francona is able to return.

On Deck: The Indians will look to start a new winning streak over the Tigers Saturday when they send Triston McKenzie to the mound for his MLB debut. He will match up with Detroit southpaw Matthew Boyd who has had a disappointing start to 2020 with an ERA of 9.64. First pitch from Progressive Field is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EST.

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