Indians pounce on Verlander to claim opener

CLEVELAND — Francisco Lindor led a rejuvenated Indians offense on Tuesday night, collecting three hits and launching a three-run home run off Detroit’s Justin Verlander to help Cleveland claim a 7-3 victory at Progressive Field.

Lindor, who finished a triple shy of a cycle, helped pace a Cleveland attack that also received run-scoring hits from Mike Napoli, Yan Gomes and Michael Brantley. It all added up to seven runs allowed by Verlander, who logged five innings and ended with three walks and two strikeouts to slip to 2-3 on the year.

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The outpouring by the Tribe offered sufficient support for right-hander Josh Tomlin, who turned in six solid innings en route to his fourth win of the season. Tomlin dodged the potential damage of nine hits, limiting the Tigers to a two-run home run off the bat of Ian Kinsler in the fifth inning. The righty struck out five and issued no walks in the win.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDThe Lindor Show: Lindor showed off his defensive ability in the second inning, diving into the hole to snag a sharply hit grounder from Justin Upton. The shortstop gathered himself in the outfield grass and threw a perfect one-hopper to nab Upton at first for an eye-popping out. Lindor wasn’t finished, though. He churned out three hits, scored three runs and belted his three-run homer off Verlander in the fifth to push the Tribe to a 7-2 lead.

• Cut4: Lindor can’t help but smile after his defensive …

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