Indians bounce back to beat Tigers
DETROIT -- Franklin Gutierrez hit a three-run homer and the Cleveland Indians rebounded from a tough loss to beat the Detroit Tigers, 11-8, on Wednesday night.
The Indians overcame homers by Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordonez and Marcus Thames to tie the series at a game apiece and increase their AL Central lead to 1 1/2 games over Detroit.
The Tigers rallied for two runs in the ninth when Jensen Lewis gave up four hits, including run-scoring singles by Placido Polanco and Ordonez with one out. Joe Borowski came on in relief with two on and retired Guillen before striking out Ivan Rodriguez on a 3-and-2 pitch for his 35th save in 40 chances.
The Indians’ offense broke loose against Justin Verlander, scoring four runs with two out in the fourth and three in the fifth on Gutierrez’s homer.
Gutierrez also doubled and scored two runs to back winner Paul Byrd (12-5), who lasted 5 1/3 innings.
Verlander (13-5) gave up seven runs and 10 hits in four-plus innings, walking one and striking out five.
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