By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
Tigers 6, Mets 5 – J.D. Martinez threw out Mets’ outfielder Jay Bruce at home plate from right field to avoid a tie game and propel the Tigers to a win over New York on Saturday night.
The victory came with a cost for Detroit as third baseman Nick Castellanos left the game with an undisclosed fracture around his hand. He is expected to miss at least four weeks.
The Tigers opened the scoring with a run in the first inning to take a 1-0 advantage.
New York tied the game 1-1 in the fourth inning before Detroit responded with five runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 6-1 lead.
The Mets cut their deficit down to one run, scoring two runs in the fifth and two in the seventh inning. They threaten in the ninth but failed to tie the game.
Detroit was led by Miguel Cabrera with two hits and three RBIs while Jarrod Saltalamacchia chipped in with two RBIs.
Tigers’ starting pitcher Matt Boyd picked up the victory, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five batters in five innings.
Francisco Rodriguez saved his 32nd game of the season, allowing three hits in a scoreless ninth inning.
The Mets were led in a losing effort by Bruce and former Tiger Curtis Granderson with a solo homer each while Wilmer Flores added two RBIs.
The Tigers are now 61-49 on the season, good for second place in the American League Central Division behind the first-place Cleveland Indians. They are a half-game ahead of the Boston Red Sox for the final playoff spot.
Detroit will look to sweep the Mets with a win on Sunday afternoon.
Record: 61-49
Tied for 2nd Place in AL Central Division (2 games behind first-place Cleveland)
½ game ahead of Boston for the last playoff spot
Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 53
Magic # to clinch an AL Central Division title: 56
Next Game: 08/07/2016 vs. New York Mets 1:10 p.m. @ Comerica Park
Hitting stats: Miguel Cabrera 2B (22) 3 RBI (74), Jarrod Saltalamacchia 2 RBI (33), Ian Kinsler 2B (20) RBI (61), Victor Martinez 2B (16), Tyler Collins 3B (2).
Pitching stats: Matt Boyd W (3-2) 5 IP 6 H 3 R 3 ER 3 BB 5 K, Francisco Rodriguez SV (32) 1 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 0 K.
