DETROIT _ A multi-run lead used to feel like a sure thing for the Indians. Lately, it feels more like a coin-flip.
The disastrous stretch for the Indians' bullpen reached a new low on Tuesday night in a 9-8 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
The Indians got a grand slam from Brandon Guyer in the first inning and led 8-3 in the sixth. In the past, that game situation was all but in the books as a win. Not for this bullpen, which wasn't helped in the later innings by the Indians' defense or offense.
After Indians starting pitcher Josh Tomlin gave up a solo home run to Nick Castellanos to lead off the bottom of the sixth and make it 8-4, thus ending his night on the mound, the bullpen took over, and a seventh-inning horror show ensued.
Dan Otero was knocked around, giving up a single to John Hicks to open the inning and then a double to James McCann, cutting the Indians' advantage to 8-5. With one out and a runner on third, Dixon Machado grounded a ball to the left side. Shortstop Francisco Lindor fielded it and threw home instead of taking the easy out. His throw was low and got away from catcher Yan Gomes and the lead was down to 8-6.
The Indians turned to Andrew Miller, but they received anything but a vintage outing from their dynamic lefty. JaCoby Jones and Pete Kozma hit back-to-back doubles off Miller to tie it 8-8. Then Miller couldn't find the strike zone, walking three consecutive hitters, forcing in the go-ahead run to complete the bullpen's meltdown and give the Tigers a 9-8 lead with a five-run seventh.
The lineup was in a position to bail them out in the top of the eighth, but it was all for naught. The Indians loaded the bases with nobody out. Facing Tigers left-hander Daniel Stumpf, Guyer struck out and Jason Kipnis' nightmarish stretch continued when he grounded into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
The latest meltdown raised the Indians' bullpen ERA to 5.79, the worst mark in the majors.
After Guyer's grand slam in the first, Erik Gonzalez added a solo home run in the second inning off Tigers starter Francisco Liriano, putting the Indians ahead 5-1. The Tigers chipped away against Tomlin, who gave up a leadoff home run to Jones in the first but settled down until the fifth, when an RBI single by Hicks and a fielder's choice made it 5-3. A two-run double by Rajai Davis and an RBI double by Jose Ramirez gave the Indians what used to be a comfortable 8-3 lead, but it quickly evaporated.
Still, the Indians had a chance in the top of the ninth. With two outs, Tigers reliever Shane Greene committed a throwing error that allowed Davis to reach second base. A wild pitch put Davis 90 feet away, but Michael Brantley grounded out to end the game.
