Comerica Park Detroit, MI
Victor Martinez broke the silence in the fourth with his two-run home run.
In the fifth, Miguel Cabrera singled in Don Kelly to up it 3-0.
After the Rays brought one home earlier that inning, youngin’ Avisail Garcia pinch hit in the sixth and sacrifice flied, making it 4-1.
Martinez provided an insurance run in the seventh, a shallow single that Cabrera went home from second on, successfully thanks to a throw in the dirt. 5-1.
Max Scherzer cruised for seven strong, winning the contest after allowing just one earned run, four hits, and two walks. The snarf struck out nine and is undefeated (8-0) on the season.
Joaquin Benoit gave up two hits, a run, and a walk before ending the top of the 8th.
Jose Valverde bounced back impressively after his last explosion in relief, getting an out on his first pitch and striking out the next batter on a 3-2 count before ending the inning 1-2-3.
Tigers (32-26) are in first place in the Central Division by 2.5 games on the Cleveland Indians (30-29).
Next up: Those Indians. It’s a three game home stand over the weekend, tomorrow at 7:00, Saturday at 4:00, and Sunday at 1:00.
Justin Verlander has the hill.