Indians-Tigers: Cliff Lee wins 10th

In a year chock full of things to be disappointed about for Indians fans, Cliff Lee is one of the few bright spots. Even a 57-minute rain delay could not keep him from being the first pitcher in the American League to 10 wins; the Tribe beat Detroit, 8-2, and ended the pair's four-game series in a draw.

The Indians head home to Cleveland Tuesday evening for a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins after closing out their 10-game road trip 5-5.

Lee went five innings, giving up two runs on six hits, surrendering a pair of walks, and striking out five.

The Cleveland offense staked him to an eight-run lead early, scoring three times in the first and five in the second. 

Dontrelle Willis took the loss for Detroit. He went 1 1/3 innings and was responsible for all eight of Cleveland's runs before departing to a chorus of boos.

Walks cost him dearly. In the first inning, he walked Ben Francisco and Victor Martinez, then gave up a three-run home run to Ryan Garko.

In the second, he walked Casey Blake before Kelly Shoppach took him deep.  After Barfield flied out, Franklin Gutierrez singled, and Francisco and Martinez each walked, loading the bases and finishing off Willis.

Denny Bautista relieved, immediately plunked Garko, and Franklin Gutierrez trotted home. Jhonny Peralta singed in Francisco, and Shin-Soo Choo hit a sac fly to score Martinez. That ended the Indians scoring for the night.

Detroit got two runs on three hits in the bottom of the fourth. Carlos Guillen opened the frame with a free pass. After a Brandon Inge lineout, Brent Clevlen singled to left, putting runners on first and second. Granderson flied out, but Renteria singled to score Guillen, and Polonco doubled to score Clevlen. 

Little else went on the rest of the game. Rafael Perez, Rafael Betancourt and Masahide Kobayashi finished up the game for the Indians. Betancourt issued a free pass and got a strikeout in his one inning of work. Kobayashi pitched the ninth without giving up a hit.

Detroit also used four pitchers total. After Willis, Bautista pitched 2 2/3 innings.  Clay Rapada went three, and Bobby Seay pitched two. Each gave up one hit during their work on the mound.

Cleveland is 29-35 on the season. C.C. Sabathia goes head-to-head against Minnesota’s Scott Baker tomorrow at 7:05. Minnesota comes to Cleveland after getting drubbed in four games by the Chicago White Sox. The Twins are 31-33 on the season.

This is the second meeting of the AL central foes this year. The Twins hold a 2-1 season lead against the Indians. They play each other 18 times this season.