The Indians finally reached the elusive .500 mark, albeit for just nine innings as they split Sunday’s doubleheader with the Detroit Tigers.

Cody Anderson led the way for the Indians in the first game, allowing two runs over five and two-thirds innings while beating Justin Verlander for the second time in a week. After getting just one hit off of Verlander through the first four innings, the Indians scored three times in the fifth and scored at least a run in each of their half innings the rest of the way. Chris Johnson drove in a pair and had three singles on the afternoon while rookie Francisco Lindor had a single and double with two RBI of his own. The Indians improved to 70-70 with the win, the first time the club was even in the standings since their loss April 10th in their home opener against the Detroit Tigers.

In the second game, Trevor Bauer struggled again after a good start to the game. He could not retire a batter in the fourth and was tagged for six runs on seven hits and three walks. The bullpen coughed up three more runs while the Indians were unable to touch that of the Tigers, who were forced into action after starter Randy Wolf needed 50 pitches in the first inning alone. In a key moment of the game, the Indians were only able to push across two runs despite the high pitch count and were then held scoreless over the final eight frames.

W: Cleveland – C. Anderson (4-3); Detroit – Drew VerHagen (1-0)

L: Detroit – J. Verlander (3-8); Cleveland – T. Bauer (11-12)

Homers: none in the two games

Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images