Miguel Cabrera sits down, but Tigres beat Orioles 6-4 to complete the sweep
BALTIMORE – Miguel Cabrera returns to Detroit for what should be the Tigers’ most anticipated home stay in a long time.
At a home run of 500, Cabrera missed the final game of Detroit’s road trip Thursday, and the Tigers did well without him, beating Baltimore 6-4 to complete a three-game sweep.
“I hope it shows us that we are right – hitting at home in front of our fans and achieving victory,” manager AJ Hinch said before the game.
Cabrera hit the 499th home run Wednesday night, and then Hinch said the 38-year-old slugger would also play Thursday. But Hinch changed course and knocked Cabrera out of the lineup, citing the heat and the fact that rain delays had led to long nights at the stadium early in the series.
The temperature at game time Thursday was 97 degrees.
Detroit begins a three-game home series against Cleveland on Friday night, then hosts the Angels for three games next week.
Renato Nunez homered on his return to Baltimore, and Victor Reyes and Robbie Grossman also went safety for Detroit. The Orioles have lost eight in a row.
“It feels amazing,” Núñez said. “It was a great game.”
The Tigers, who started 9-24, are now percentage points ahead of Cleveland for second place in the AL Central.
Matt Manning (3-5) allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings for Detroit, matching the longest start to its debut season. Kyle Funkhouser followed in relief, and Michael Fulmer pitched two scoreless innings for his seventh save in nine chances.
Baltimore put the men at first and second with one out in the ninth, but Cedric Mullins, who had three hits that day, made a force play. Austin Hays did the same to finish her off.
DJ Stewart hit solo home runs in the fourth and sixth innings for the Orioles, but John Means (5-4) allowed six runs and eight hits in 4 1-3 innings. Means wasn’t about to blame the heat for his performance.
“It wasn’t that bad,” Means said. “I didn’t really notice it much. It’s a typical Baltimore summer day. “
Nunez hit 50 home runs for the Orioles from 2018-20, but was released after last season. He hasn’t played much for Detroit, but Cabrera’s absence left an opening in the lineup, and Nunez hit the first of two two-run homers for the Tigers in the fourth. Reyes had the other to make it 5-1.
Grossman hit his 18th home run of the year in the fifth.
Mullins extended his hitting streak to 19 games with a single in the first inning, eventually opening the scoring by coming home with a double steal. With men at first and third, Anthony Santander broke early for second, and when the Tigers tried to chase him, Mullins broke to the plate and did it.
Jeimer Candelario tied it with an RBI double for the fourth.
COACH ROOM
Tigers: C Grayson Greiner experienced cramps and left the game early. OF Jacob Robson pinch-hitting for him in the sixth and made his major league debut, going 0-for-2. … Detroit put utility Niko Goodrum (left groin strain) on the 10-day disabled list and transferred to LZ Matthew Boyd (left arm discomfort). ) at the IL of 60 days.
Orioles: Baltimore reinstated RHP Tyler Wells (right wrist tendonitis) from IL. He pitched a scoreless inning.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Tyler Alexander (2-1) takes the mound for the Tigers against Cleveland’s Zach Plesac (6-4).
The Orioles open a series in Boston on Friday night. Spenser Watkins (2-3) starts for Baltimore against Nick Pivetta (8-5).
