Francisco Lindor’s big games are becoming a daily occurrence.
Cleveland’s 22-year-old shortstop did it again in Tuesday night’s 7-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
Lindor hit a three-run homer off Justin Verlander, scored three times and fell a triple short of the cycle in addition to making an outstanding defensive play.
Photo: AFP
“Whether you do it with the bat, the glove or your legs, that is part of the reason he has a chance to be so good, because he can impact a game in so many different ways,” Indians coach Terry Francona said.
Lindor singled in the first inning when Cleveland scored three times, doubled and scored in the third and homered in the fifth as the Indians ended Detroit’s five-game winning streak.
Lindor, who finished second in last season’s American League Rookie of the Year voting, is showing no signs of a sophomore slump. He is batting .315 and is tied for second on the team with 12 RBIs, but said he did not expect his drive off Verlander to reach the seats in right field for his second home run of the season.
“I was pretty surprised,” he said. “I did not think it was going to go that far. I knew I got it, but I am not a power hitter.”
Josh Tomlin (4-0) remained unbeaten in four starts, allowing two runs in six innings. The right-hander also got a boost in the second from his shortstop. Lindor took a hit away from Justin Upton with a diving stop in the hole, got to his feet and made a strong throw to first.
“He makes it look routine, but that is a tough play,” Tomlin said. “He gets up like he has done it 100 times. Well, he has. He is a stud. That is for sure.”
Verlander (2-3) gave up seven runs in five innings.
The Indians beat the Tigers for the fourth straight time this season. Cleveland swept a three-game series at Comerica Park in April.
Cleveland, who lost five of six after the sweep, took a 3-0 lead in the first on Mike Napoli’s two-run double and Yan Gomes’ RBI single, an inning in which Verlander threw 38 pitches.
“It is easy to kick yourself in the butt after the fact, but the first inning was a big turning point already in the game.” Verlander said. “The double by Napoli was one of the at-bats I wish I would have pitched differently.”
Michael Brantley, playing his first game at Progressive Field following shoulder surgery in November last year, had an RBI single in the third.
Ian Kinsler hit a two-run homer in the fifth for Detroit.
Tomlin scattered nine hits, struck out five and did not walk a batter.
Verlander allowed eight hits, struck out three and walked two. He fell to 18-20 in 45 career starts against Cleveland. The right-hander is 9-14 in 24 career starts at Progressive Field.
Nick Castellanos, who leads the league with a .368 average, had two hits, including an RBI single in the eighth.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at