Bradley has RBI double in debut, Indians top Tigers 8-3

CLEVELAND (AP) — Bobby Bradley doubled and drove in a run in his first major league plate appearance and the Cleveland Indians completed a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers with an 8-3 victory on Sunday afternoon.

Bradley, who leads the International League with 24 home runs, was promoted from Triple-A Columbus earlier in the day and went 1 for 3 with one run and a walk. The 23-year-old first baseman also made a running over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory, delighting the home fans who eagerly awaited his debut.

“This is so surreal and so exciting,” the upper-tier prospect said before the game. “Just to know that this childhood dream is coming true is unreal.”

Bradley’s hit a ground-rule double to left field to ignite a five-run second inning for the Indians, who have won six straight over the Tigers and are a season-high seven games over .500. Francisco Lindor added an RBI double as Cleveland took a 5-1 lead.

Zach Plesac (3-2) matched his longest outing in the majors to earn the victory, allowing one run over seven innings. The right-hander, who made his major league debut on May 28, did not allow a runner to reach scoring position after the first.

Carlos Santana hit a solo homer and Jason Kipnis collected two hits and two RBIs for the Indians, who swept a three-game set last weekend in Detroit. Lindor had a pair of hits and stole a base, breaking out of a 3-for-22 slump over his previous five games.

Tigers starter Daniel Norris (2-6) remained winless since May 12 despite striking out a season-best eight. The left-hander surrendered six runs over a season-high seven innings, falling to 0-5 with a 5.48 in eight starts since his last victory.

JaCoby Jones opened the scoring with his second career leadoff home run and Niko Goodrum had a two-run single for Detroit. Miguel Cabrera singled in the first to move into a tie with Luke Appling for 56th place all-time with 2,749 hits.

TIGER TEMPER

Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire has been ejected six times, two shy of his single-season high of eight. “I don’t want my players to get thrown out, so I’ll continue to step up for them,” he said. “And the fine money goes to BAT (a fund for destitute members of the MLB family), so whatever donations I make don’t bother me at all.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: SS Jordy Mercer (right quadriceps strain) went 0 for 3 with a walk in the first game of his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Toledo. He has been on the 10-day injured list since May 8.

Indians: RHP Mike Clevinger (left ankle sprain) is scheduled to be activated off the 10-day IL when eligible on June 28 to start in Baltimore. If he suffers a setback, RHP Aaron Civale will take his spot.

UP NEXT

Tigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (0-4, 6.03 ERA) faces Rangers RHP Jesse Chavez (2-2, 3.18 ERA) in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday at Comerica Park.

Indians: RHP Adam Plutko (3-1, 4.55 ERA) takes on Royals RHP Brad Keller (3-9, 4.45 ERA) as Cleveland continues its six-game homestand on Monday.