Divisional Battle Heats Up with Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians

As the playoffs draw near, the divisional races are heating up. The closest one in baseball is between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians. They came into Tuesday's game with identical 65-53 records. With only 44 games left to play in the season, eight are against each other, meaning each one is crucial as the season winds down. They faced off on Tuesday evening, and both ballclubs sent their aces to the mound. Sabathia came in with a 14-6 record, and Bonderman held a 10-5 resume. For much of the game, it was a pitchers duel, as these two dug-in for a long game.

Before the duel got underway, Bonderman, who has a high first inning earned run average, gave up a two-run homerun. Struggling to find control early, he hit a batter, and then served up a perfect 3-1 pitch for Grady Sizemore to hit into the Tigers bullpen in right field. After that, Bonderman settled down, and both ballclubs had a tough time offensively. Bonderman struck out six through the first four innings, highlighted by striking out the side in the fourth inning. Overall, he struck out eight in seven innings. Sabathia also struck out eight through seven innings. Unfortunately, both pitchers received no-decisions.

Detroit threatened to score in the top of the fifth inning, after Infante doubled to centerfield, but the situation was cooled by Sabathia, who struck out Granderson to end the inning. In the next inning, Raburn led off with a double and Sheffield moved him over to third base. Maglio Ordonez then knocked in the first run for the Tigers. That was all the Tigers got in the sixth, but in the next inning the Tigers tied it up, as Thames doubled and Infante collected the RBI single.