Cleveland, OH – Rick Porcello threw seven shutout innings and the Detroit Tigers blanked the Cleveland Indians, 7-0, in the opener of a four-game series at Progressive Field.
Porcello (5-6) allowed just five hits and two walks while fanning six.
"At any given time, you let your guard down, they can come back and beat you, no matter how big the lead is," Porcello said of the Indians. "You really have to make pitches throughout the game. There's no easy outs in that lineup."
Jhonny Peralta, Victor Martinez and Ramon Santiago drove in two runs apiece and Miguel Cabrera had an RBI for the AL Central leaders, who are on a four- game winning streak.
Justin Masterson (10-7) lasted just 4 2/3 innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits and four walks.
"The slider was kind of hopping out of the hand a little early," Masterson said of his breaking ball. "At times, it just wasn't as effective as we would have liked it to be."
Jason Kipnis extended his hitting streak to 16 games for the Indians, who have lost three straight games. Cleveland is in second in the division, 2 1/2 games behind the Tigers.
Santiago started the scoring in the second. With two outs and the bases loaded, he delivered a two-RBI line single to center.
An inning later, Andy Dirks hit a leadoff double and scored on Cabrera's bouncing single up the middle.
Detroit tacked on three more runs in the fifth. Dirks drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Prince Fielder also walked. Martinez plated Dirks with a single and Peralta drove in two when he ripped a double to right-center.
Martinez drove in the final run in the seventh, a two-out single to right- center that scored Dirks, who knocked a leadoff double.
Bruce Rondon pitched in the ninth for the Tigers. He walked Michael Brantley and gave up a single to Carlos Santana, who advanced to second. Rondon struck out Mark Reynolds and Lonnie Chisenhall to end the game.
Game Notes
Detroit is 7-2 this season against the Indians and has won the last six meetings ... Kipnis has reached base safely in 36 consecutive games ... The Tigers activated outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo from the 15-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Avisail Garcia to Triple-A Toledo ... The Indians were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
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