Left-handed pitcher Tyler Alexander has six starts this season, but Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch doesn't consider him a starter — call him an opener instead. On Saturday, the 27-year-old answered Hinch's call against Cleveland, leading the Tigers to a 2-1 victory at Progressive Field.
The lefty controlled Cleveland's lineup of right-handed bats for 5u2153 innings, including facing the minimum 12 batters through four inningspitchers. The Tiger's leftie went the distance against Cleveland pitching five full innings and retired all 12 batters in the first four innings.
In the bottom of the ninth, ex-Tigers catcher Wilson Ramos homered to cut the lead to one, but the Tigers were able to hold on.