CLEVELAND (AP) — Jason Kipnis hit a tiebreaking triple in the eighth inning, right fielder Tyler Naquin made a game-saving play in the ninth, and the Cleveland Indians held on for a 7-6 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.
Kipnis’ triple — which was initially ruled a home run, a call that was overturned after a replay review — and Jake Bauers’ sacrifice fly put Cleveland ahead 7-5, but the ninth inning had plenty of drama.
JaCoby Jones led off with a double off closer Brad Hand, the Indians’ fifth reliever, and scored on Christin Stewart’s single. Nicholas Castellanos sent a sinking liner to right-center, and Naquin made a diving catch, got to his feet and threw to first for a double play.
Miguel Cabrera popped out to end it, giving Hand his 21st save in 21 opportunities. Adam Cimber (3-2) retired two batters on six pitches in the eighth.
José Ramírez led off the eighth with a bunt single off Joe Jiménez (2-5). Kipnis drove a 3-2 pitch to center, and Jones attempted to make a leaping catch, but the ball bounced back into the field of play. Jones retrieved the ball and the Tigers relayed it to the infield, but second base umpire Adrian Johnson ruled it a home run.
Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire challenged, and replays showed the ball hit the yellow line atop the fence. After a review of 2 minutes, 17 seconds, Ramírez, who was running on the pitch, was awarded home plate and Kipnis was given a triple.
Cleveland rallied from a 5-2 deficit after Trevor Bauer was pulled without retiring a batter in the fifth, his shortest outing of the season.
Naquin homered to start the fifth, and Jordan Luplow began Cleveland’s tying rally in the sixth with a home run. Roberto Pérez’s RBI single tied the game.
Bauer dominated the Tigers on Sunday, allowing four hits in the first complete-game shutout of his career, but the right-hander gave up five runs and 10 hits Friday.
Carlos Santana hit a two-run homer in the first, but the Tigers struck quickly against Bauer. Brandon Dixon homered in the second and Nicholas Castellanos tied the game in the third with an RBI double. Gordon Beckham had a run-scoring double in the fourth.
Stewart homered to lead off the fifth. The next two hitters reached base and Niko Goodrum’s RBI double ended Bauer’s night after 91 pitches.
Detroit starter Matthew Boyd allowed five runs in six innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: SS Jordy Mercer (strained right quadriceps) will begin a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.
Indians: RHP Mike Clevinger (sprained left ankle) was placed on the 10-day injured list, but expects to return during a three-game series at Baltimore starting June 28. … RHP Corey Kluber (broken arm) will be examined by doctors next week to determine the next step in his rehabilitation. He was hit by a line drive May 1.
UP NEXT
Tigers: RHP Spencer Turnbull (3-6, 3.27 ERA) seeks his first career win over the Indians.
Indians: RHP Aaron Civale will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to make his major league debut in place of Clevinger. Civale is 5-0 over seven starts this season, split between the Clippers and Double-A Akron.
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