Indians - Tigers : 5-2 Detroit.

A three-run fourth doomed Jeremy Sowers and the Tribe.  They lose for the second time in three meetings to the Detroit Tigers 5-2.

Coming out of the 10-game road trip .500 or better is not looking good.  The Indians have two games left against Detroit and need both to exit their current road streak even-steven.

Sowers gave up five Detroit runs, all of them earned, in four innings of work.  He allowed seven hits and five runs with two strikeouts and two walks. Those aren't horrible numbers, but not good enough to win.  He takes the loss. 

Detroit starter Armando Gallaraga gets the win, going five and two-thirds, giving up four hits and two runs.

Detroit struck in the first and second innings and staked themselves to a two-run lead.  Polanco opened up the Detroit half of the first with a double.  After a Thames walk, Maglio Ordonez popped out for out number one, but Cabrera singled in Polanco.

The second saw a Curtis Granderson homer giving Detroit a 2-0 lead.

The question for Indians fans was which team would show up: the anemic offense or the one so prevalent during the Ranger Series. 

Unfortunately for Sowers, it was the former.

Managing five hits and two runs, the Indians strung together a pair of doubles in the third by Shin-Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore, cutting the lead to 2-1.

In the top of the sixth, Cleveland added a second run on a pair of walks to Grady Sizemore and Victor Martinez, finally culminating in a run after a Ryan Garko single scored Sizemore.  By then though, they were down by four and the run didn’t matter.

Detroit sealed the deal in the bottom of the fourth off Sowers.  Guillen opened the inning with a double to left.  Ivan Rodriguez singled Guillen home.  Clevlen walked, Granderson flied out, and Edgar Renteria grounded out giving Detroit two outs and runners on second an third. 

It was “GO” time for Sowers, but Polanco came through with a single to left, scoring both runners and earning Sowers the loss.

Scott Elarton relieved Sowers in the top of the fifth and pitched three innings of shutout ball, giving the Tribe offense a chance to show themselves.

They did get a chance in the top of the eighth via a walk and a hit batsman, but nary a hit after the two runners saw the base paths translated into no runs and the last two outs via a pair of strikeouts, both by Detroit reliever Dolsi.

Todd Jones came on in the ninth and earned his 10th save of the season, mustering two strikeouts and allowing one hit in the close.

Jones makes saving a game look easy to Indians fans that aren’t used to watching someone that actually saves games without the threat of defeat.  Who would think he’d be the envy of closers. Yet, he continues to impress. 

Detroit moves to 26-36 on the season.  Cleveland is 28-35.  The four game series draws to a close Monday evening at 7:05 on ESPN. 

The Indians' best hope is a draw on the series.  Cliff Lee takes on Dontrelle Willis in a lefty duel.  Lee can take the AL lead in wins.  He currently resides tied with Yankees’ Mike Mussina, and Angels Joe Saunders at nine victories.  His ERA of 2.45 is lowest in the AL.