Cleveland Sports Forum

Need to get Hagadone back to Cleveland somehow. It's like we have a 9-man rotating bullpen.

Sounds like Pestano is going on DL and possibly Bauer (Hagadone) coming up.

I'd be happy to have either of those pitchers, but I don't think there's a role for Bauer at present. We can't even complain about the quality of Kluber's starts or Ubaldo's last effort.

But what about the Monday doubleheader coming up?

TonyIBI

False alarm on Bauer. He's not coming to Cleveland. Instead the Indians appear to be pushing him back a few days to be ready for DH next Mon

After strong 'pen session, Myers weeks from return
By Zack Meisel / MLB.com | 05/04/2013 5:45 PM ET
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Kipnis helped by manager's vote of confidence
Pestano battling 'cranky' elbow
Swish feeling better after resting with sore elbow
Worth noting
Quote to note

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CWS@CLE: Myers allows two runs over six solid frames
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CLEVELAND -- It's a hurdle Brett Myers has had to clear every spring.

This year, he didn't. As a result, he's on the disabled list.

Myers continued his throwing program for the second consecutive day on Saturday as he recovers from inflammation in his right elbow. He told the Indians that it's a familiar problem, one he faces at the start of every season. Only this season, the symptoms never disappeared, as they usually do when he settles into his pitching routine.

"It just didn't really ever turn the corner the way he wanted it to, and it probably got a little worse," manager Terry Francona said. "It was affecting his command. He could get the velocity, but he wasn't commanding his fastball. And we knew that all spring, but he was like, 'I'll turn the corner.' Then when he didn't, we went and got him checked."

Myers sported a sizable bandage wrapped around his elbow following his throwing session on Saturday morning. Francona said, despite an impressive showing, Myers remains weeks away from a return to action.

"You could tell he's throwing free and easy, and it's not hurting and that's nice to see," Francona said. "He's already itching to get on the mound. That's premature, but the fact that he's talking like that is good. He needs probably a good couple of weeks of throwing."

Kipnis helped by manager's vote of confidence


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MIN@CLE: Kipnis leads off the first with a homer
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CLEVELAND -- Few could have blamed Terry Francona had he decided to move Jason Kipnis down in the order.

Kipnis has flirted with the Mendoza Line in recent weeks, and his two hits on Friday finally propelled him above the .200 mark. In Friday's walk-off win, Kipnis contributed a two-run triple, a two-out RBI bunt single and a game-tying RBI groundout, as the 26-year-old continued to flash signs that he is starting to come around at the plate. After his first-inning home run on Saturday, Kipnis has now collected at least one hit in nine of his last 12 contests.

"Over the last week, I think I've shown some signs of going in the right direction," Kipnis said. "I'm coming out of the funk I started the season in."

Kipnis directed the credit to his manager, who never wavered in his decision to pencil the second baseman near the top of his batting order. In 20 games, Kipnis batted in the No. 2 hole 13 times and hit third on seven occasions.

"It's always nice to have the support of your coach," Kipnis said. "We have a good relationship. I think we have a trust in each other, and the fact that he's stood by my side and had confidence and kept me where I am in the order so far, despite how I've been hitting, shows a lot and means a lot to me."

Pestano battling 'cranky' elbow


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Pestano discusses his setup role, playing in Classic
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CLEVELAND -- There was a method to manager Terry Francona's bullpen madness on Friday, and it revolved around Vinnie Pestano's right elbow.

Francona called for right-hander Cody Allen to enter the contest in the seventh inning, when the Indians held a one-run lead. Typically, Francona uses Joe Smith in the seventh, Pestano in the eighth and closer Chris Perez in the ninth.

On Saturday, the skipper revealed that Pestano has been battling what he termed a "cranky" elbow.

"It's not something I'm expecting to be a big issue," Pestano said. "It's something I've dealt with in the past. It just happened to flare up a little worse."

Pestano hasn't pitched in a game since last Sunday and has made only two appearances since April 22. He threw a bullpen session on Saturday morning, and the Indians will wait to see how his elbow responds before determining the next step for the right-hander. Pestano said the issue has no relation to the area that required Tommy John surgery earlier in his career.

"It's something that we've been monitoring for the last couple of years, something that crops up, just comes and goes," Pestano said. "We've been able to manage it and maintain it to a degree. This is the first time I haven't been able to answer the call."

Swish feeling better after resting with sore elbow


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MIN@CLE: Swisher clubs a home run in the first
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CLEVELAND -- Nick Swisher is not Terry Francona's teenage daughter, but it might appear that way when it comes to the slugger's recent injury.

"You can accuse me of being overprotective," Francona said. "I would plead guilty of that."

Swisher developed soreness in his left shoulder, a result of migrating back and forth between right field and first base. The constant switching took a toll on his throwing arm, and he sat out for the club's two-game set with Philadelphia and series opener against Minnesota on Friday. He returned to the lineup on Saturday, batting cleanup and serving as the designated hitter. He homered in his first at-bat.

Francona said Swisher was available to come off the bench on Friday night, but the skipper was hesitant to employ his services, even after he opted to lose designated hitter privileges late in the contest.

"With anybody -- and in Swisher's case, with a guy that's playing every day -- when you take a few days off to get something better, when he comes back I want it to be better," said Francona.

Worth noting

• Michael Bourn took batting practice on Friday and Saturday as he continues to test out his injured index finger. Francona reported that Bourn tested out "very well," and the Indians will monitor his progress over the next few days and then determine if he'll embark on a rehab assignment before being activated from the disabled list.

• Entering Saturday's contest, the Indians had three players ranked in the top five in two-out slugging percentage among American League players. Ryan Raburn paced the pack with a .870 mark, with Carlos Santana (.750) and Mark Reynolds (.690) ranking fourth and fifth.

• Since 2009, the Indians are 101-83 in one-run games, the fifth-best mark in the Major Leagues over that span.

Quote to note

"I try not to get caught up in how many we've won or lost, because it doesn't affect today."
-- Francona on the Indians' five-game winning streak, their longest since the 2011 campaign


Zack Meisel is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @zackmeisel. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

They can add Bauer next Monday as the 26th man without demoting anyone.

Looks like Vinnie Pestano will avoid trip to DL: Cleveland Indians Insider

Cleveland Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano, Chris Perez's primary setup man, has a 2.25 ERA in eight appearances this year. (Mark Duncan, Associated Press)
By Dennis Manoloff, The Plain Dealer
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on May 05, 2013 at 7:59 PM, updated May 05, 2013 at 8:13 PM



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CLEVELAND INDIANS 2013
Cleveland Indians' minor league report
Looks like Vinnie Pestano will avoid trip to DL: Cleveland Indians Insider
Corey Kluber stays around the strike zone: Cleveland Indians Chatter
Cleveland Indians could use a hot streak from Ubaldo Jimenez: Bud Shaw
On deck: Cleveland Indians vs. Oakland Athletics
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians hope they have navigated choppy waters in the matter of reliever Vinnie Pestano's right elbow.

Pestano, who has not pitched in a game since April 28, threw on flat ground for about 10 minutes Sunday morning in front of manager Terry Francona and head trainer Lonnie Soloff. How Pestano felt coming out of the session would go a long way toward determining if he needed to be placed on the 15-day disabled list because of soreness.

After the Tribe lost to Minnesota, 4-2, in the afternoon, Francona was optimistic that Pestano will avoid being shelved.

"He had a real good session," Francona said, "and everything points toward him being OK for [tonight]."

The Indians begin a four-game series against the Athletics tonight at Progressive Field.

Pestano, who also threw Saturday, said Sunday morning: "We're still working through things. There's a lot of variables."

Pestano said the arm is feeling better, but that he does not want to continue to hamstring the bullpen.

Of the elbow, Pestano said it is a recurring problem that the club has been able to control over the past two years. Before the Indians drafted him out of Cal State Fullerton in 2006, Pestano underwent Tommy John surgery.

"This is completely unrelated to my UCL reconstruction," Pestano said Saturday. "It's been something we've been monitoring the past couple of years. It's something that pops up, comes and goes, and we've been able to manage it to a very good degree. This is the first time I haven't been able to answer the call."

Pestano, the primary setup man for closer Chris Perez, has a 2.25 ERA in eight appearances.

Bourn movement: Indians center fielder Michael Bourn will begin a rehab assignment with the Class AAA Clippers tonight in Columbus. Bourn has been on the disabled list since April 15 because of a cut on his right index finger that required five stitches.

The plan, Francona said, is for Bourn to play three games: seven innings in center field, nine innings as designated hitter, nine innings in center.

"Hopefully, when I get back, it won't take me long to get my timing down," Bourn said.

Players such as Ryan Raburn have performed well in Bourn's absence.

"We never want guys to get hurt, but it will end up being good for us," Francona said. "Guys have taken advantage of the playing time. When you do need to go to them, they have some timing and at-bats and feel better about themselves."

Comings and goings: The Indians designated outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and recalled lefty Scott Barnes from Columbus on Sunday morning. Carrera had joined the Indians on Thursday after being waived by the Phillies. He went 2-for-4 against the Twins on Saturday.

"We wanted to get Zeke back, which we did," Francona said. "And we knew, when Bourny came back, we'd have to deal with this again. We decided we wanted to try to keep our bullpen intact, so we got Barnsey here, and I'm glad we did."

Barnes pitched splendidly in the 4-2 loss. He worked a hitless eighth and ninth, striking out four. He plunked one batter.

Cody Allen (one-third inning) and Matt Albers (one inning) also came out of the bullpen for the Tribe. Barnes helped Francona avoid having to use lefty Rich Hill or righty Brian Shaw.

The bullpen is such an important part of what we're doing," Francona said. "The way we line up (today) gives us a better chance to win."

Barnes has been with the Clippers most of the season (2-0, 3.27 ERA in eight appearances). He was with the Indians on April 28 as the 26th man for that day's doubleheader. He gave up two runs in one inning of the day game.

Francona said he hopes Carrera clears waivers.

Vinnie Pestano placed on DL


Updated: May 6, 2013, 7:33 PM ET
Associated Press

CLEVELAND -- The Indians will be without one of their most valuable arms for at least 10 days.

The club placed reliever Vinnie Pestano on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right elbow Monday, a move they contemplated for several days before finally executing. Left-hander Nick Hagadone was recalled from Triple-A Columbus.

Cleveland placed Pestano on the DL shortly before the opener of a four-game series against the Oakland Athletics. Manager Terry Francona had expected Pestano to be available to face the A's, but the Indians are taking a cautious approach with the right-hander, who has a 2.25 ERA in eight appearances this season.

The Indians called the injury right elbow tendinitis, but the 28-year-old Pestano, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2006, said he has been treated for discomfort in the elbow the past two seasons. Pestano has not pitched since the second game of a doubleheader against Kansas City on April 28.

He gave up two walks in one inning and said his elbow began bothering him following the outing.

Pestano was one of the AL's best relievers last season. He went 3-3 with a 2.57 ERA in 70 appearances, mostly as the setup man for All-Star closer Chris Perez.

Pestano will be eligible to be activated on May 16, as Hagadone's recall falls within a 10-day period of his most recent active date on the 25-man roster. Major League Baseball rules stipulate that Pestano's placement on the DL must be backdated to May 1, or the day after Hagadone's option to Columbus.

Hagadone had a 2.45 ERA during his first stint with the Indians.

White Sox Claim Mike McDade

By Tim Dierkes [May 7 at 1:10pm CST]

The White Sox claimed first baseman Mike McDade off waivers from the Indians, according to the Tribe's official Twitter feed. They also announced outfielder Ezequiel Carrera cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A. The White Sox made room for McDade on the 40-man roster by putting Gavin Floyd on the 60-day DL, adds Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.

McDade, 24, had been designated for assignment by the Indians last Thursday to open a 40-man roster spot for Carrera, who was designated himself three days later. McDade has struggled in 83 Triple-A plate appearances this year. The Las Vegas native came up through the Blue Jays' system, hitting .285/.360/.445 with 19 home runs in 508 plate appearances across Double and Triple-A last year. Drafted by the Jays in the sixth round in '07, McDade never ranked among the Baseball America's top 30 prospects for the team in any season.

And the plot thickens. Veteran baseball analyst Peter Gammons went on The Dan Patrick Show on Friday and made a bold claim: Angel Hernandez, the umpire who refused to overturn the botched home-run call in Wednesday's Indians-A's game, did so as an objection to the use of instant replay.

Much has been made since the start of this debacle about baseball's old school who don't want to embrace technology, who'd rather let the human element prevail, as flawed as it might be. Those people are out there, for sure, so it's not entirely surprising to hear this alleged of an umpire.
The entire interview is above, but here's the key part: Patrick asked Gammons whether he thought Hernandez purposely missed the call because he's against replay — a baseball version of legislating from the bench, if you will. Gammons responded:

"Well, that was certainly the impression many of us had. You couldn't rationalize seeing what he was able to see, and then saying, 'It's a double.' "

Baseball didn't say much in its statement about the incident. After another ump gaffe on Thursday night, there wasn't too much action from baseball either. So it sounds like we'll be left with speculation — and our fingers crossed that baseball's umpires can get it together.

Where in the world is Cleveland Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar? Hey, Hoynsie!


Hey, Hoynsie: Sandy Alomar has not been very visible in the dugout, on the field, on TV or in The Plain Dealer. Has his role been diminished by manager Terry Francona, or is this just a coincidental happening? -- Lee Palloto, Pa.

Hey, Lee: Alomar is Francona's bench coach. He's in the dugout helping Francona run the game. He takes the lineup to home plate every day, gives the signals from the bench during games and works with the Tribe's catchers. It's pretty much business as usual for a big-league bench coach.

Hey, Hoynsie: When Michael Bourn comes back from the disabled list, who goes to the bench; Drew Stubbs or Ryan Raburn? -- Justin Luby, Tampa

Hey, Justin: Bourn rejoined the Indians on Thursday and was activated on Friday in Detroit. Stubbs moved back to right and Raburn resumed his job as a utility player.

Hey, Hoynsie: What kind of pitching help do you think the Indians could receive for Lou Marson and Matt LaPorta? Even if they had to throw Matt Albers, would it be worth a solid No. 3 starter? -- Eric, Ashland

Hey, Eric: No, it would not.

Lots of times organizations and their fans overvalue their own players and underestimate the intelligence of the teams they're trying to make a deal with. Those teams have scouts, too.

Hey, Hoynsie: I hate the inconsistency of the strike zone. What happened to the experiment with rating the umpires with an electronic strike zone? Is it still in place at some ballparks and will it ever be used to supplement umpires' calls? -- Jim Markart, Sunnvale

Hey, Jim: The strike zones of umpires started being evaluated by computers and cameras in 2001 by the QuesTec system. QuesTec was not available in all 30 parks and was replaced in 2008 by the Pitch-f/x Zone Evaluation system, which is in every stadium. It is a system of computerized cameras used to track pitches. It is used to grade an umpire's work behind the plate and to train them.

I do not see a time when computers will replace a home plate umpire.

Hey, Hoynsie: Just wondering why Carlos Carrasco gets suspended after giving up a homer and then hitting the next batter, while Oakland's Jarrod Parker gives up two homers and hits Mark Reynolds and only gets warned. -- Bill Drummer, Wauseon

Hey, Bill: It is all based on the umpire making the call. He has the right to eject or warn a pitcher in that situation. It's not always fair, but Carrasco has to keep a cooler head than that.
mcallister-midpitch-cc-2013.jpgView full sizeZach McAllister is finding success with his newly expanded pitching repertoire.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

Hey, Hoynsie: Seems really unusual to have a pitcher develop a new pitch during the season, ala Zach McAllister throwing a split-finger fastball. When's the last time you can remember this working out? -- Joe Cepec, Dublin

Hey, Joe: I remember Rod Nichols inventing a half-knuckleball, half-splitter when he pitched for the Indians. He didn't pitch in the big leagues long, but he had a lot of fun throwing it.

Hey, Hoynsie: Much has been made of Trevor Bauer's pre-game rituals (long-toss, etc.), but does he have any post-game eccentricities? -- George Amer, Gallatin, Tenn.

Hey, George: I'm still trying to wrap my brain around his Happy Gilmore warm-up tosses between innings. I haven't started working on the postgame routine yet.

Hey, Hoynsie: The game called by plate umpire Angel Hernandez on Monday was an embarrassment for baseball. Are there any repercussions for an umpire that so clearly couldn't see the strike zone? Can and do teams file complaints? -- Mitch Schwartz, Fairfield, Calif.

Hey, Mitch: If you didn't like Angel's work on Monday, I'm guessing you really didn't like his non-call on Adam Rosales' homer that wasn't on Wednesday. Teams can and do file complaints about umpires.

Hey, Hoynsie: I haven't watched the Indians since the days of Manny Ramirez, Albert Belle and Jim Thome. Is Mark Reynolds and Nick Swisher the best 1-2 punch since the late 1990s? -- Jessie LeFlore, Mansfield

Hey, Jessie: I'll have to wait until the end of the season to answer that. Right now I'd go with a healthy Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez, who performed well for several seasons. Reynolds is a free agent at the end of the season so this might be a one-and-done for him.

Hey, Hoynsie: Why can't Yan Gomes stay in the big leagues? I understand they want him to play every day in the minors to work on his catching. But while Lou Marson is a good defensive catcher with a good arm, he struggles with the bat. -- Thomas Ryan, Fostoria

Hey, Thomas: Who says Gomes won't stay ... at least for a while. Marson just started throwing again and it's conceivable the Indians could option him to Class AAA Columbus so he can play regularly. It all depends what they feel is best for both catchers.

Hey, Hoynsie: Any update on how Grady Sizemore is doing in his rehab from his many injuries? -- Richard Dudley, Spokane, Wash.

Hey, Richard: Talked to his agent, Joe Urbon, recently. Urbon said Grady's rehab is going well and that he's had no setbacks. Urbon said Grady hopes to be back playing with a team after the All-Star break. He's a free agent right now.

Hey, Hoynsie: How much hotter do you think the Indians' bats will be when Michael Bourn gets back in the lineup? -- Ryan Cottrell, Conneautville, Pa.

Hey, Ryan: They're pretty hot right now. The big thing about Bourn's return, to me, is that manager Terry Francona will be able to move Michael Brantley out of the leadoff spot and put him somewhere in the lineup where he can take advantage of his ability to drive in runs.
francona-chew-dugout-2013-cc.jpgView full sizeTerry Francona always seems to be chewing something during games. But if you want to find out what it is, don't say we didn't warn you.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

Hey, Hoynsie: The Tribe's pitching has gotten a bit better recently, but if it starts to decline once again, do you think that an Asdrubal Cabrera for Brandon Morrow trade would work? Those are perfect fits for both teams so it would make sense. -- Ryan Smith, Monroeville, Ind.

Hey, Ryan: I have a hard time giving up a two-time All-Star shortstop, who plays nearly every day, for a starter who works once every five days. That certainly doesn't mean the Indians wouldn't consider it, but right now I think something drastic would have to happen for that to become a front-burner issue.

Hey, Hoynsie: Baseball being a game of statistics, can you tell me how many pieces of bubble gum Terry Francona goes through in typical game? I myself would guess at least 30. -- P.J. Cardullias, Mentor

Hey, P.J.: Francona told me Friday that he chews between 80 and 100 pieces a game. He not only likes the taste of bubble gum, but uses it to cover up his chew of tobacco. He said he keeps removing gum and adding new pieces because he has a gag reflex that doesn't allow him to keep too many pieces in his mouth at the same time.

"It got so bad in Boston that the clubhouse guy would unwrap a whole box of gum for me before the game," said Francona. "Otherwise, I'd spend the whole game unwrapping gum."

-- Hoynsie

Like the old days of posting articles:

Ubaldo Jimenez goes six strong innings as Cleveland Indians beat Tigers, 7-6
Cleveland Indians beat Detroit Tigers, 7-6


DETROIT -- Ubaldo Jimenez out-pitched Justin Verlander on a cold Saturday night in a ballpark that has caused him a great deal of misery.

Chris Perez walked a tight-rope across the ninth inning, pitching around what could have been a devastating error by first baseman Nick Swisher.

Asdrubal Cabrera had three hits, two of them driving in runs with two outs, but the play that gave the Indians a 7-6 victory over the AL Central-leading Tigers and yet another former Cy Young Award winner was turned in by second baseman Jason Kipnis with the game teetering in the ninth at Comerica Park.

Perez, who earned his sixth save, started the inning by striking out red-hot Jhonny Peralta. Brayan Pena sent a grounder to Mike Aviles at third. Swisher, who moved in from right field to first in the eighth inning to protect his cranky left shoulder, dropped the ball for what should have been the second out.

"I just dropped it," said Swisher. "I was staring at the ball cussing. I told Perez, 'You've got to pick me up, dog.' "

• Indians-Tigers box | Scoreboard | Standings

Omar Infante followed with a single to put runners on first and second. Fleet Austin Jackson followed with a grounder over the mound toward second. Kipnis tracked it down behind the bag and flipped it behind his back to Cabrera, who forced Infante for the second out. Jackson beat Cabrera's relay to first, but the Indians were only one out from victory.

"Amazing play," said Cabrera. "That play won us the game."

Torii Hunter, after the force, singled to score Pena, cutting the Tribe's lead to 7-6. One other ramification of Hunter's single was that Perez had to faced Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera with runners on first and second and a sellout crowd of 41,438 stomping and screaming.

"I always seem to end up facing him with the game on the line," said Perez.

Cabrera worked the count full before chopping a grounder to third. Aviles fired to Swisher at first for the final out as the Indians won for the 11th time in their past 13 games. The victory put them one game behind the Tigers.

Perez earned his sixth save, but gave credit to Kipnis.

"That play saved me," said Perez. "It make up for Swisher's play. Baseball works out that way."

It was a down-and-dirty night for Kipnis. In the second, he singled with two outs. Cabrera followed with a double to right and Kipnis scored all the way from first, dodging catcher Alex Aviles with a head-first slide to the outside part of the plate that left him covered in dirt and grime.

"He's such a scrappy player," said Swisher. "He's like one of those dirt-ball guys. After every game, his uniform has some kind of stain on it."

Jimenez (3-2, 5.55 ERA) held the Tigers to one run on three hits. He tied a season-high with eight strikeouts and walked just one.

The victory was Jimenez's third straight, a first since he joined the Indians on July 31, 2011. It was also his second win in eight career starts at Comerica Park.

"That's the best I've ever pitched here," said Jimenez.

The Indians took a 2-0 lead against Verlander in the first. Michael Bourn opened with a single and scored on Swisher's double. Verlander followed with walks to Carlos Santana and Jason Giambi to force home Cabrera. It was only the third time in his career that Verlander (4-3, 1.93) has walked a batter with the bases loaded.

The Tribe led 4-1 after the fifth. They squeezed Verlander, the 2011 Cy Young winner, for 110 pitches as he allowed six hits, four runs, three earned, and walked five. The Indians, by the way, are 6-1 against Cy Young Award winners this year.

Jimenez tired after the sixth and manager Terry Francona went to the bullpen with a 6-1 lead. With the Joe Smith-Vinnie Pestano-Chris Perez relay team jumbled because of Pestano's right elbow injury, Francona used lefty Nick Hagadone to start the seventh. Victor Martinez greeted him with a double and Matt Tuiasosopo and Peralta walked to load the bases.

Cody Allen was the next arm out of the Tribe pen.

Pena hit a sacrifice fly to make it 6-2. Infante followed with a two-run triple to the gap in right center. Jackson delivered Infante with a ground ball to turn the Indians' comfortable 6-1 lead into 6-5 white-knuckler.

The Indians stretched the lead to 7-5 in the eighth on Giambi's sacrifice fly. They needed the extra run, too.

You could see early in that game that Ubaldo had it going. He was throwing strikes with his array of breaking pitches.

Tantalizing talent with that guy.

Mark Reynolds' 10th-inning RBI single helps Indians edge Tigers

Associated Press

Indians Come Back, Win In 10th Inning


DETROIT -- Terry Francona's Cleveland Indians passed their first test against the defending American League champions.

They beat Justin Verlander on Saturday night and rallied against Jose Valverde on Sunday. When it was over, Cleveland had taken two of three from the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
Pinch-hitter Mark Reynolds had a tiebreaking single in the 10th inning to give the Indians a 4-3 victory in the series finale. Cleveland tied the game with a run off Valverde in the ninth.
"That was as good a team effort as you are ever going to see," said Francona, who took over as Cleveland's manager before this season. "We left some guys on base early, and that's tough against any team, much less that one. But we kept playing and we got it in the end."
Cleveland tied it in the ninth when Michael Brantley hit a two-out RBI single off Valverde. Joe Smith (1-0) pitched the bottom of the inning, and the Indians took the lead in the 10th.
With men on first and third and one out in the 10th, Michael Bourn hit a slow grounder to shortstop Jhonny Peralta, who threw home in time to get Asdrubal Cabrera. Reynolds followed with a single to left off Darin Downs (0-1) that slipped past third baseman Miguel Cabrera's diving attempt.
"With two strikes, I'm just trying to shorten up my swing and get something into play," Reynolds said. "He threw me a changeup, and I was able to get it on the ground and past Cabrera. That felt good."
The game wasn't over yet, though. Cleveland closer Chris Perez, who retired Miguel Cabrera with the potential winning run on base Saturday night, wasn't available, so Rich Hill got the first two outs of the Detroit 10th, and Cody Allen finished for his first career save.
"He had a taxing outing 12 hours ago, so I told him I wanted him to be honest with me when he started to warm up," Francona said of Perez. "To his credit, he did just that, so I told him we'd find another way to win the game."
The Indians have won 15 of 20, and Sunday's win brought them even with the Tigers atop the AL Central.
Cleveland has not lost any of its last seven series.
The Tigers were prepared to let Valverde leave via free agency in the offseason, but they ended up bringing him back on a minor league deal. He was back in Detroit as the closer by the end of April, and he hadn't allowed a run in five appearances before Sunday.
But he walked two in the ninth before Brantley's tying single.
"You have to respect the hitter, too," Valverde said. "You have to remember, this guy is a big leaguer, too."
Detroit threatened in the bottom of the ninth when Andy Dirks led off with a single, but Torii Hunter couldn't get a bunt down and ended up hitting into a 1-6-3 double play -- Asdrubal Cabrera had to spin awkwardly near second because of Smith's slightly inaccurate throw, but he made the turn successfully.
"That's just a fantastic, athletic play," Francona said. "The throw was tailing away from him, but he caught it, managed to keep his foot on the bag and then throws Torii out with nothing but arm strength."
That meant Miguel Cabrera had to hit with the bases empty, and his flyout sent the game to extra innings.
Asdrubal Cabrera doubled leading off the 10th and went to third on Nick Swisher's tapper to the pitcher. After Carlos Santana was intentionally walked, the Tigers got a big out when Asdrubal Cabrera was thrown out at home.
But Reynolds came through for the Indians, driving home Santana from second.
Brayan Pena homered for the Tigers, and Detroit starter Rick Porcello allowed two runs and four hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked two.
Zach McAllister allowed two earned runs and eight hits in six innings for the Indians.
Pena's two-run homer in the second opened the scoring. The Indians tied it the following inning on a two-run double by Jason Kipnis.
Detroit scored an unearned run in the fourth after Cleveland third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall threw wildly to first on Peralta's grounderl for a two-base error. Pena's grounder up the middle hit second base for an infield single, and Omar Infante drove in Peralta with a sacrifice fly.
Game notes

There was some light rain during the middle of the game on a chilly day at Comerica Park. ... Detroit OF Austin Jackson had the day off with a sore right hamstring. ... Cleveland OF Ryan Raburn started against his former team. He made a shoe-top catch in the first on a line drive by Prince Fielder and was hit by a pitch in the fourth. ... Miguel Cabrera extended his hitting streak to 11 games. ... Detroit hosts Houston on Monday night. Anibal Sanchez (3-3) starts for the Tigers against Bud Norris (4-3). The Indians play a doubleheader at home against the New York Yankees. Justin Masterson (3-3) takes the mound for Cleveland in the opener, and Trevor Bauer (1-1) will pitch the second game for the Indians.
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