Kinsler's helmet knocked off by pitch, Tigers top Indians
CLEVELAND (AP) - A testy win for the Detroit Tigers wound up with Ian Kinsler getting tested for a concussion.
Kinsler got his helmet knocked off by a pitch from Trevor Bauer, yelled at the Cleveland right-hander and later was ejected as the Tigers beat the Indians 9-5 Sunday.
Bauer hit three batters - he plunked Tigers star Miguel Cabrera on the left hand in the first inning, then struck Kinsler in the third and Victor Martinez in the knee later in the inning.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he didn't think Bauer was trying to hit anyone on purpose, but didn't like the results.
"If you can't command the ball inside, you've got to maybe not go inside," Ausmus said. "This is the big leagues, and if you're going to hit guys in the head and the kneecap then something's got to give."
Bauer (11-8) apologized after it ended.
"Regardless of game situation, I would never intentionally throw at someone's head," he said. "That has no place in the game. I know saying sorry for it doesn't really change that it happened."
J.D. Martinez and Justin Upton homered as the Tigers defeated the AL Central-leading Indians for only the second time in 15 tries this season. Cabrera added his 2,500th career hit.
Kinsler grabbed the side of his head after being hit, was examined and went to first. Bauer tossed his glove to the ground and crouched behind the mound as Kinsler was checked.
Cameron Maybin then walked and Cabrera singled to load the bases. Bauer hit Victor Martinez on the right knee, sending Detroit's designated hitter to the ground. Martinez was down for several minutes before getting up and limping to first base.
Kinsler yelled at Bauer as he walked home from third and motioned to plate umpire Jordan Baker, apparently wanting the pitcher ejected.
Detroit starter Daniel Norris threw the first pitch of the bottom of the third behind Rajai Davis, which led to both sides being warned by Baker.
Ausmus said Kinsler, who committed a fielding error at second base in the fifth, showed symptoms later in the game.
"I think as he stood out there longer I think he was getting foggier," Ausmus said. "As the game went on I think he started to get a headache where he got hit. After the game I talked to him and he was a little dizzy."
Kinsler was ejected by Baker following the bottom of the fifth, which Ausmus attributed to a misunderstanding.
"I think the umpire thought Kinsler was motioning towards him when he was really just communicating with Miggy (on defensive positioning), and it just kind of snowballed from there," Ausmus said.
A day earlier, Kinsler hit a line drive that broke the hand of Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco.
Norris (3-2) gave up four runs - one earned - in five innings. Francisco Rodriguez recorded four outs for his 43rd save.
Carlos Santana homered in the Cleveland sixth.
Upton's two-run shot in the fifth gave Detroit a 5-2 lead. The drive cleared the 19-foot high wall in center field and traveled an estimated 450 feet, and Upton stood at home plate for several seconds admiring the homer before slowly trotting around the bases.
Ausmus thought the incidents might have provided some motivation for his team.
"You get a little bit angry or you get a little more focused," he said.
The teams begin a four-game series in Detroit next week with Bauer as one of Cleveland's scheduled starters.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: 3B Nick Castellanos (broken right hand) will face pitchers the next two days in Lakeland, Florida. He could return during the final two weeks.
Indians: OF Lonnie Chisenhall (strained abdominal muscle), who has been out of the starting lineup since Thursday, pinch hit in the ninth.
UP NEXT
Tigers: LHP Matt Boyd is scheduled to pitch the opener of a three-game series in Minnesota on Tuesday.
Indians: RHP Josh Tomlin will start Tuesday against Kansas City, the opener of a three-game series.