Kipnis triples twice, Indians beat Tigers 7-4

DETROIT (AP) - Jason Kipnis hit two of Cleveland's four triples and the Indians continued their season-long dominance of the Detroit Tigers with a 7-4 victory Friday night.

The AL Central-leading Indians are now 7-0 against the Tigers this season. Detroit had won 16 of 20 at home and was coming off a four-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners.

Danny Salazar (9-3) struggled with his command, walking five in 5 2/3 innings, but held the Tigers to three runs on four hits.

Jordan Zimmermann (9-5) allowed seven runs on nine hits in a season-worst 3 2/3 innings. After posting a 1.50 ERA in his first seven starts, Zimmermann has allowed at least six runs in four of his last seven.

Cleveland led 7-3 going into the ninth, but Andrew Romine reached on a one-out strikeout when catcher Chris Gimenez hit him in the back with a throw. Ian Kinsler and Cameron Maybin singled off Cody Allen, with Romine scoring.

Miguel Cabrera hit a liner to deep right-center, but Rajai Davis made a juggling catch and Maybin was doubled off second to end the game.

Salazar struggled with his control early, walking three batters in the first two innings, but pitched around it. Cleveland then took the lead in the third, putting together three hits, including a two-run triple down the right-field line by Kipnis.

Cleveland hit three more triples in the fourth. Jose Ramirez hit the first with one out, then after Zimmermann hit Juan Uribe with a pitch, Lonnie Chisenhall hit a line drive to right-center that eluded Steven Moya's awkward lunge and rolled to the wall.

Gimenez followed with a single through the drawn-in infield to give the Indians a 5-0 lead. Carlos Santana added an RBI double later in the inning before Kipnis chased Zimmermann with his second triple.

The Tigers came back with three runs in the fifth, but Cabrera's bid for a two-run homer game died on the warning track and Salazar escaped the jam. Cabrera also grounded into two double plays.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: C Yan Gomes was out of Friday's lineup after having a cyst drained on his lower back. Gomes was available for late-inning duty and expected to play on Saturday.

Tigers: RHP Warwick Saupold (groin) began a rehab assignment Thursday night with Triple-A Toledo, allowing a run on two hits and two walks in two innings. Saupold has been sidelined since June 1.

PELFREY GOES LONG IN RELIEF

Mike Pelfrey, who had his scheduled Saturday start moved back to Tuesday in order to work on his mechanics, will probably be bumped back again. With the Tigers bullpen shorthanded, Pelfrey replaced Zimmermann in the fourth and threw 48 pitches in 4 1/3 shutout innings.

UP NEXT

The teams continue their three-game series Saturday with Cleveland's Carlos Carrasco (2-2, 3.26) facing Anibal Sanchez (4-7, 5.97). Sanchez will be making his first start since May 31, having pitched out of the bullpen in his last six outings. He went 1-1 with a 1.86 ERA in the first extended stint as a reliever in his career.