Bieber sharp again, Indians beat Tigers for 19th time in row

DETROIT (AP) — Shane Bieber dominated once again, striking out 11 in seven scoreless innings, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Detroit Tigers for the 19th straight time, winning 3-1 Saturday night

Cleveland’s winning streak against one opponent is the longest since the Baltimore Orioles beat the Kansas City Royals 23 times in a row in 1969.

Bieber (4-0) allowed three hits and a walk and lowered his ERA to 1.30 in five starts this season. The All-Star Game MVP from last year has struck out a major league-leading 54 in only 34 2/3 innings this season.

Bieber fanned the side in the third and fourth and added two more in the fifth.

Nick Wittgren pitched a perfect eighth. JaCoby Jones made it 3-1 with a pinch-hit double in the ninth before Brad Hand finished for his fifth save.

Spencer Turnbull (2-1) gave up three runs on six hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings.

Jose Ramirez hit a two-run double with the bases loaded in the Clevelad third. Franmil Reyes grounded into an inning-ending double play to help Turnbull escape without further damage.

Carlos Santana made it 3-0 with an RBI double in the fifth, finishing Turnbull.

Cleveland loaded the bases in the eighth with no one out, but Bryan Garcia got out of it with a popup, a strikeout and a flyball.

TRAINER’S ROOM

The Tigers placed RHP Ivan Nova (tricep tendinitis) on the 10-day injured list and recalled RHP Anthony Castro from their alternate training site. 1B C.J. Cron, who has been out since a knee injury earlier this week, announced he will undergo season-ending surgery.