Jhonny Peralta hit an inside-the-park homer in the first inning to give the Indians a 3-0 lead over Detroit. The advantage was 5-2 through six.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Tribe plays host to the Tigers in the finale of a four-game series at Progressive Field.
Pitching matchup: Indians RHP Jeanmar Gomez (---) vs. Tigers LHP Andy Oliver (0-3, 6.38 ERA)
In-game updates:
The Indians led the Tigers, 5-2, through six innings.
Brace yourself for news you never thought you would hear from the ballpark....
Jhonny Peralta hit a three-run inside-the-park homer in the first inning for a 3-0 advantage. It is the first such homer by an Indian since Grady Sizemore did it on April 27, 2007, against Baltimore.
Yes, it's true: Peralta, not exactly fleet afoot, went the unconventional route for a long ball.
The Indians have hit six inside-the-park homers at Progressive Field. Opponents have hit two.
With two outs, Peralta blasted Oliver's 0-1 pitch to deep center. Ryan Raburn, subbing for Austin Jackson, tracked it to the wall and leaped. His timing was off, though, and the ball caromed away. Raburn crashed through the Indians' bullpen gate.
By the time left fielder Brennan Boesch retrieved, Peralta was rumbling into third. Tribe third-base coach Steve Smith pinwheeled and Peralta made it easily. Peralta slid, but didn't need to do so. The throw was high.
Peralta returned to the lineup after being out Friday and Saturday because of a fever. He had not played since last Sunday in Tampa Bay.
The Indians made it 5-0 in the fourth. Jason Donald had an RBI grounder and Tigers third baseman Don Kelly threw wildly to first on Michael Brantley's grounder, allowing Trevor Crowe to score.
The Tribe eventually loaded the bases with two outs. Reliever Eddie Bonine got Austin Kearns to line to third on a full-count pitch.
Carlos Santana was 0-for-0 with three walks through five. He has 31 walks in his first 33 major-league games.
Oliver lasted 3 2/3 innings.
Gomez is dealing. He allowed two hits -- one tainted.
Gomez struck out Miguel Cabrera looking to end the fourth. Cabrera squawked about the call by Mike Muchlinski, gesturing that the pitch was outside.
Pregame notes:
The Indians (37-54) seek a four-game sweep. They won a day-night doubleheader Saturday, the first game beginning just after 1 p.m. and the second game ending just after midnight.
Detroit (48-41) is 16-28 on the road.
The Indians designated infielder Anderson Hernandez for assignment to make room for Gomez.
Gomez was promoted from Class AAA Columbus for the spot start. He is making his major-league debut.
Oliver graduated from Vermilion High School. He has made four major-league starts.
The Tribe has eight right-handed hitters in the lineup. Righties are 16-for-46 (.348) against Oliver in the majors.
Jhonny Peralta has returned after being sidelined Friday and Saturday because of a fever. He starts at third and bats fifth. Andy Marte, who was outstanding defensively as Peralta's sub, moves to first. Matt LaPorta will DH.
Travis Hafner did not start the second game Saturday and is available off the bench today. He is dealing with upper-back discomfort.
Lineups:
Tigers -- 1. Don Kelly 3b; 2. Johnny Damon dh; 3. Magglio Ordonez rf; 4. Miguel Cabrera 1b; 5. Brennan Boesch lf; 6. Carlos Guillen 2b; 7. Ryan Raburn cf; 8. Gerald Laird c; 9. Danny Worth ss; and Oliver.
Indians -- 1. Michael Brantley cf; 2. Jayson Nix 2b; 3. Carlos Santana c; 4. Austin Kearns rf; 5. Jhonny Peralta 3b; 6. Matt LaPorta dh; 7. Trevor Crowe lf; 8. Andy Marte 1b; 9. Jason Donald ss; and Gomez.
Umpires: P -- Mike Muchlinski; 1b -- Jerry Layne; 2b -- James Hoye; 3b -- Brian Runge.