The Tigers lost starting catcher Alex Avila to a tight right hamstring again and again lost a game in which they failed to string together a few hits in key spots. Despite putting together a mini-rally in the ninth inning, the Tigers wound up losing again in the end, 4-2.
Detroit led 1-0 after the first inning, but were stifled by Ubaldo Jimenez and the Indians' bullpen for the next seven innings before putting together an ultimately empty threat in the ninth. Brennan Boesch, who is hitting close to zero in roughly his last 10 games, knocked in the second run on a sac fly in the final frame.
Drew Smyly gave up three run-scoring triples and allowed four runs for his fifth straight start in taking the loss (2-2).
The series continues Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. ET with Max Scherzer on the bump.
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