Predictable.

Indians 5, Tigers 2

Max Scherzer (20 GS, 132 IP, 3.34 ERA, 3.20 FIP, 2.9 fWAR) was supposed to calm things down, save the bullpen, and get the Tigers back on track in the nightcap, and he only sort of did that. Max managed to allow just two runs (both solo HR to Chris Dickerson, what?!), but he walked four and only struck out four and labored through 5.2 innings in almost 120 pitches. The offense was good enough to even the score, capped off by a huge triple from Jackson in the 7th, but the Tigers gave Joe Nathan a tie game and you can’t give Joe Nathan anything resembling a close game at this point. He allowed two runners and was asked to IBB Brantley before allowing a bases clearing ball up the gap from Santana to make it 5-2. Torii ripped a double in the 9th, but the Tigers were unable to rally back as they lost the DH, the first three in the series and their fourth in a row. They will try to salvage one with Drew Smyly (15 GS, 87.2 IP, 4.00 ERA, 4.46 FIP, 0.7 fWAR) going Sunday.

The Moment: Jackson swats a game-tying triple in the 7th.