Fister primed for playoffs as Tigers wipeout Cleveland, 14-0

Doug Fister pitched eight strong innings and Alex Avila drove in three runs to help the Detroit Tigers shutout the Cleveland Indians, 14-0. Justin Verlander and Fister, who are scheduled to start the first two games of Detroit’s first-round playoff series, are now a combined 14-0 with a 1.61 ERA in 16 appearances since August 16.

Fister, who allowed three singles while striking out nine, has been even better than the Cy Young favorite in the stretch, going 7-0 with a 0.65 ERA in his last eight outings. Fister (11-13), who was picked up in a six-player deal with Seattle on July 30, has now gone 20 innings without walking a batter.

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead on Ryan Raburn’s RBI triple in the second, then scored three times in the third. With one out, Will Rhymes singled. Jimenez retired Don Kelly, but Dmitri Young and Miguel Cabrera singled to make it 2-0. Victor Martinez walked, loading the bases, and Alex Avila hit a two-run double.

Tigers pitcher Doug Fister provided comments after the game