Indians find new way to lose

Associated Press

detroit

Manny Acta tried just about everything.

The Cleveland manager used six relief pitchers. He even had his team line up with only two outfielders in the ninth inning, when the Indians prevented Detroit from scoring the winning run.

It still wasn’t enough. Cleveland’s losing streak is now at nine — and the latest defeat unfolded in unthinkable fashion.

Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer to cap a stunning five-run rally by Detroit with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, giving the Tigers a 10-8 victory over the Indians on Sunday.

With two outs and nobody on — and the Indians up 8-5 — Chris Perez (0-3) walked Alex Avila and pinch-hitter Andy Dirks. Austin Jackson doubled home a run, and Omar Infante’s two-run single tied it.

Cabrera followed with a towering drive that eventually cleared the fence in left-center. Detroit never had the lead before then.

“This is very deflating,” Acta said. “You never believe it is going to happen. Even with Infante at the plate, I’m feeling confident because we’ve got two out, a two-run lead and our closer on the mound.”

Travis Hafner and Ezequiel Carrera had hit back-to-back solo homers for Cleveland in the 10th.

Detroit’s Darin Downs (1-0) earned his first career win.