Tribe clinches Central in Motown showdown

DETROIT — The Indians clinched their first American League Central title since 2007 at the ballpark that housed four of the previous five division crowns. In the process, their 7-4 win over the Tigers made Detroit’s postseason pursuit much tougher.

Though Corey Kluber lasted just four innings before leaving with right groin tightness, adding to Cleveland’s rotation injuries, Coco Crisp’s two-run home run in the second inning and Roberto Perez’s solo shot in the seventh helped power the Indians to their 14th win in 16 games against the Tigers this season, eliminating Detroit from the division race. Cleveland clinched its eighth title since divisional play began in 1969, and its second playoff berth in four years under manager Terry Francona.

“It never gets old,” said Francona. “I want them to blow it out. It is so hard to get to do one of these things that I want them to enjoy every minute of it. I want them to celebrate, because I’m so proud of them and what they’ve done.

“There’s a lot that goes into trying to even just win a division, and certainly the season’s not over, but they deserve every minute of joy they have in there.”

Indians owner Paul Dolan smiled when asked about all the adversity his team has overcome this season.

“We’re division champs right now,” Dolan said. “With some time to get rested, hopefully we’ll do some healing and get ready for the playoffs.”

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The Tigers, meanwhile, suffered their third straight loss to fall two games behind the idle Orioles for the second AL Wild Card spot with six games to play. Baltimore begins a three-game series Tuesday at Toronto, the AL’s other current Wild Card holder.

“Let’s see what happens,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “We’re going to play the games … regardless of what people think the odds are. We’re going to come here and try to win tomorrow.”

J.D. Martinez’s two-run homer accounted for all the scoring off Kluber, who gave up five hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Though Miguel Cabrera hit a pair of RBI singles off Dan Otero and Andrew Miller, the Tribe bullpen picked up the slack from a short start against Detroit for the second time in nine days.

“We wanted to clinch at home,” Indians outfielder Rajai Davis said. “Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. So, as fate would have it, we clinched here and …

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