Rick Porcello pitched eight smooth innings, surrendering one solo blast over the Big Monster to Xander Bogarts, but that was it all night. One run.

The Tigers, meanwhile, kept it gangsta, again – to the tune of six runs.

Alex Avila knocked in the game’s first run, a bases loaded shot that resulted in a put out at second base. In the next inning, Miguel Cabrera wrapped one inside the right field foul pole for a 2-0 lead.

Ian Kinsler and Torii Hunter smacked back-to-back doubles in the 5th, then “Big Cat” singled Hunter home for a 4-0 lead.

The Tigers tacked on two more runs the following inning. Avila led off with a double down the left field line, and Rajai Davis doubled him home. While trying to keep Davis at third, an errant throw to the outfield let him take the base after all. We brought him home on a deep sacrifice fly by Kinsler.

Phile Coke entered the ninth, gave up a base hit, then settled down nicely to retire three Red Sox in a row to earn us the win, 6-1.

Game three is tomorrow night on national television (ESPN) at 8:00 PM ET. The final game of the series will feature Anibal Sanchez’s return from injury.