Franmil Reyes homered twice and Zach Plesac pitched seven dominant innings after getting an early lead to give the Cleveland Indians a 4-1 win Friday night over the Detroit Tigers, who scratched starter Julio Teheran just before the first pitch.
Reyes hit a two-run homer in the first off emergency starter Derek Holland (0-1) and added a 446-foot solo shot in the sixth to make it 4-0.
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Franmil Reyes homered twice and Zach Plesac pitched seven dominant innings after getting an early lead to give the Cleveland Indians a 4-1 win Friday night over the Detroit Tigers, who scratched starter Julio Teheran just before the first pitch.
The Tigers avoided being shut out when Wilson Ramos homered off Bryan Shaw in the eighth.
But when he felt discomfort while warming up in the Progressive Field bullpen, the team wasn’t taking any chances.
Holland, who made five starts for Pittsburgh last season, gave up a pair of singles and a fielder's choice RBI to Eddie Rosario before Reyes connected for his second homer, providing Plesac with a welcomed three-run cushion.
Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 4.
Detroit's 22-year-old rookie homered on the first pitch in his first major-league at-bat and connected for a grand slam in his second game. On Thursday, he entered as a pinch-runner in the eighth and delivered a walk-off RBI single in the 10th.
Clase threw nine pitches over 100 mph in his appearance Wednesday against Kansas City. In just two games, the right-hander had already thrown more triple-digit pitches (18) than all Cleveland pitchers combined since 2008.
“I don’t want to be the old guy that’s like ‘They don’t throw like when I (played)'," he said. “I’d be willing to go out on a limb and say if Nolan Ryan was pitching today, he would be one of the hardest throwers. He’d take your breath away. Literally.”
Plesac (1-1) pitched scoreless ball, allowing just three singles while improving to 3-1 in five career starts against the Tigers. He's given up three earned runs in 30 2/3 innings to Detroit.
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Zach Plesac delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, April 9, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
The Tigers avoided being shut out when Wilson Ramos homered off Bryan Shaw in the eighth.
Emmanuel Clase worked the ninth for his first save with Cleveland and the second of his career. He got one with Texas in 2019.
Detroit was forced to make the pregame pitching change after Teheran complained of tightness in his right triceps while warming up. The right-hander beat the Indians in his debut for the Tigers last week, allowing one run and four hits in five innings.
Cleveland Indians' Franmil Reyes points as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, April 9, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
But when he felt discomfort while warming up in the Progressive Field bullpen, the team wasn’t taking any chances.
It was the first road game for first-year Tigers manager A.J. Hinch after Detroit played its first six at Comerica Park.
Reyes' 409-foot liner into the left-field bleachers gave the Indians a 3-0 lead in the first, which began with the announcement that Teheran wouldn't be pitching.
Cleveland Indians' Andres Gimenez fields a ball hit by Detroit Tigers' JaCoby Jones during the sixth inning in a baseball game, Friday, April 9, 2021, in Cleveland. Jones was out at first. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Holland, who made five starts for Pittsburgh last season, gave up a pair of singles and a fielder's choice RBI to Eddie Rosario before Reyes connected for his second homer, providing Plesac with a welcomed three-run cushion.
In the sixth, Reyes ripped a 2-2 pitch from Fulmer over the wall in center and into some still blooming trees inside Heritage Park.
MIGGY WATCH
Cleveland Indians' Andres Gimenez throws to first base after getting Detroit Tigers' Niko Goodrum out at second base during the third inning in a baseball game Friday, April 9, 2021, in Cleveland. JaCoby Jones was out at first base for the double play. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 4.
He entered the series one hit shy of tying Jesse Burkett (2,870) for 46th place in MLB history, and four hits behind Babe Ruth (2,873) for 45th.
TIGER TALE
Rookie Akil Baddoo didn't add another chapter to his story-book start, going 0 for 2 with a walk.
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Derek Holland delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Friday, April 9, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Detroit's 22-year-old rookie homered on the first pitch in his first major-league at-bat and connected for a grand slam in his second game. On Thursday, he entered as a pinch-runner in the eighth and delivered a walk-off RBI single in the 10th.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, Baddoo is the first player since 1900 to begin his career with multiple homers, including a grand slam, in his first three games.
FLAMETHROWER
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Michael Fulmer, left, waits for Cleveland Indians' Franmil Reyes, right, to run the bases on a solo home run during the sixth inning in a baseball game Friday, April 9, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
Clase threw nine pitches over 100 mph in his appearance Wednesday against Kansas City. In just two games, the right-hander had already thrown more triple-digit pitches (18) than all Cleveland pitchers combined since 2008.
FAST COMPANY
Indians manager Terry Francona believes there's numerous reasons for pitchers throwing harder than in the past, and one is today's pitches are recorded when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.
Cleveland Indians' Eddie Rosario watches his infield grounder that drove in a run during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, April 9, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
“I don’t want to be the old guy that’s like ‘They don’t throw like when I (played)'," he said. “I’d be willing to go out on a limb and say if Nolan Ryan was pitching today, he would be one of the hardest throwers. He’d take your breath away. Literally.”
Francona faced the Hall of Famer 42 times in his career.
“I don’t think that was in his speech,” Francona joked without mentioning he batted .225 (9 of 40) against Ryan.
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Zach Plesac tosses the ball to first base for the out on Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera during the fourth inning in a baseball game Friday, April 9, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: Pitching coach Chris Fetter rejoined the team after testing positive for COVID-19. Hinch said Fetter took some playful ribbing from players on the trip to Cleveland, but added everyone is happy to have him back.
UP NEXT
Indians RHP Aaron Civale (1-0) starts against Tarik Skubal (0-0) for the second time in a week. Civale allowed just two hits in seven innings in beating Detroit on April 4. Skubal pitched into the sixth, and left with a lead but Cleveland scored seven runs off Tigers relievers.
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