Zimmer home run lifts Tribe to victory

The Indians, sparked by Bradley Zimmer’s tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning, defeated the Tigers, 7-5. Owen Miller also homered for the Indians, who scored three unearned runs in the fourth.

The Indians, sparked by Bradley Zimmer’s tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning, defeated the Tigers, 7-5, on Aug. 8.

Derek Hill’s first major league home run in the second inning helped Detroit build a 5-2 lead, but Cleveland rallied and went ahead on Zimmer’s two-run homer off Erasmo Ramírez (1-1).

THE SCORE

INDIANS 7, TIGERS 5

Myles Straw reached on a one-out single and Zimmer hit a 1-1 pitch to the seats in right for his third homer of the season.

Zimmer, who has dealt with injuries and inconsistency since a strong rookie season in 2017, has raised his batting average 50 points to .247 in the last month. His improvement at the plate and his defensive work in the outfield have led to increased playing time.

“It’s been comfortability, relaxation and having fun out there,” Zimmer said. “Every day is a new opportunity, I never take that for granted. I’m looking forward to continue to contribute.”

“He’s got the skillset to impact the game, whether it’s an extra-base hit potential, he’s got enough pop to go yard and then his speed plays a factor,” interim manager DeMarlo Hale said.

Owen Miller also homered for the Indians, who scored three unearned runs in the fourth thanks to a throwing error by shortstop Zack Short.

Bryan Shaw (5-5) pitched a scoreless seventh.

Emmanuel Clase pitched the ninth for his second save of the series and 16th of the season. Akil Baddoo reached on an infield hit with two outs, but Jonathan Schoop popped out.

Hill, a rookie center fielder, homered off Zach Plesac as Detroit built the early lead. Hill’s drive to left-center barely cleared the 19-foot wall and bounced back on the field. The play was ruled a home run, a call confirmed by replay.

“I got to about halfway between second and third and my third base coach (Ramon Santiago) was saying it was a home run but I was making sure,” Hill said. “I was going to turn it on if I had to.”

The Tigers added two runs in the third on Plesac’s wild pitch and Jeimer Candelario’s RBI double.

Plesac was charged with five runs in four innings.

Francona update

Manager Terry Francona is recuperating at his Cleveland apartment after hip replacement surgery Aug. 2.

“He’s doing at-home physical therapy,” said Chris Antonetti, Cleveland’s president of baseball operations. “At some point that therapy will transfer to the ballpark. He’s doing well. He’s in really good spirits.”

Francona stepped down for the season July 29.