Without their triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera, the Detroit Tigers simply tattooed the ball, scoring 12 runs on 19 hits.

First, it was a barrage of solo home runs. Nick Castellanos struck first, sending one to left-center for a 1-0 lead. Then Victor Martinez tee’d off to right, again with none on. J.D. Martinez had to get in, earning an all-star nod on a day he knocked another out of the park for back-to-back. Finally, down 5-3, Yoenis Cespedes blasted his 11th.

That was all Seattle tagged our pitching for. Alfredo Simon was the starter, followed in order by Blaine Hardy, Ian Krol, and Bruce Rondon. The bullpen did not allow a run.

In the same inning as Cespedes’ home run, Detroit proceeded to load the bases for Castellanos, who promptly took the lead back with one of his four hits on the night (a personal best). The Tigers batted around that inning and the next to pile on a total of 12 runs by the end of the game.

After the long-ball, it was all base hits. Jose Iglesias, also earning an all-star birth, swallowed up any more Mariner attempts, swiftly turning double plays. Congratulations to the wiz kid, J.D. “The Student,” “Big Cat,” and our ace, Dave Price. Let’s vote in Cespedes to complete a deserved first half honor for our boys.

I wouldn’t worry about Detroit without Cabrera. Every other hitter in the lineup is capable, and this honestly might take some pressure off any pre-defined roles and just allow these guys to play the game they love – collectively, together, manufacturing and working runs across. As a team.