Detroit — On the field at Comerica Park, it is 11 p.m. Monday and the Cleveland Indians have just hugged and high-fived their way into the visitors clubhouse for an hour or two of champagne bathing.
This used to be the Tigers’ September habit. Celebrating division crowns. Splashing in bubbly. Wearing goggles to keep eyes safe from Dom Perignon spray. Lighting cigars. Dancing to Latin music.
But the Tigers lost their third game in three days Monday night to the division champion Indians, 7-4, and now are two games to the rear of the Orioles in a dash with Baltimore and the Blue Jays — and Mariners — for a wild-card playoff spot.