DETROIT — Robbie Grossman’s eighth-inning sacrifice fly produced the only run at Comerica Park on Wednesday and ended the Tigers’ six-game losing streak against Cleveland, sending Detroit to a 1-0 win.
Niko Goodrum’s leadoff double got Detroit’s offense going in the eighth inning off Cal Quantrill. Jake Rogers, whose defense helped the Tigers survive a rocky start, advanced Goodrum with a sacrifice bunt before Grossman sent a fly ball to deep center. Grossman ended up a hero, despite ending a streak of 19 consecutive games reaching base safely.
The late offense resolved one of the less-expected pitching duels of the season. Cleveland rookie Triston McKenzie, who was optioned to Triple-A Columbus last weekend only to return as injuries thinned the Indians’ rotation, held Detroit hitless for 4 1/3 innings, evoking memories of his magical Major League debut against the Tigers last August. Jonathan Schoop’s ground-ball single up the middle was Detroit’s lone hit Wednesday against McKenzie, who struck out five consecutive batters at one point.
Tigers starter José Ureña didn’t look nearly as effective early on, allowing three hits, walking two batters and hitting another over his first three innings. He avoided damage thanks in part to Rogers, who ended the opening inning by throwing out José Ramírez trying to steal second base, then closed the second frame by tagged out Josh Naylor at the plate on an Owen Miller double. The latter was a group effort from Detroit’s defense, including a pinpoint relay throw from Niko Goodrum that allowed Rogers to collect the ball and swipe at Naylor in one motion.
Ureña retired nine consecutive batters from the third inning on, until Ramírez drew a two-out walk in the sixth. Ureña left a pitch later with lower right forearm cramping, but José Cisnero and Michael Fulmer continued the scoreless work ahead of Gregory Soto’s fifth save.