Not only were the Indians barking at Verlander's heels for seven innings, they were barking at each other as well. After first baseman Carlos Santana failed to catch a high throw from third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to set up Detroit's 1-0 lead in the first inning, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and Santana had to be separated in the dugout.
"I like it," Acta said when asked about the argument. "It means people around here want to win. Asdrubal confronted Carlos about not catching the throw. Carlos didn't like the way he talked to him. That's fire. I like it. People care."
With the trade of Orlando Cabrera at the All-Star break, Acta asked Asdrubal Cabrera and Travis Hafner to assume more of a leadership role. Cabrera, especially, has his hands full.
"He has a kid at third [Chisenhall], a kid at second [Jason Kipnis] and a kid at first [Santana]," Acta said. "He has to take charge and we like that ... the fire [he's shown]."
Said Santana: "Everything is fine. This is something that happens to teams. Me and him are friends."
The Indians trailed Detroit by four games in the American League Central Division at the start of this series. By taking two out of three, they cut one game off the Tigers' lead. The two teams play nine more times.
"There's no chance the Indians are going way," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. "They're too good."
