By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com

Tigers 7, Marlins 5– .The Tigers scored seven runs in the fifth inning to lead them to a series opening win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night.

LSJ Logo incertThe Marlins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning and had a 3-0 advantage in the fifth before Detroit scored seven unanswered runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Miami cut its deficit with a run in both the sixth and eighth inning but fell short of a comeback.

The Tigers were paced by Nick Castellanos with a triple, home run and two RBIs while Miguel Cabrera added a three-run homer. Jose Iglesias chipped in with a home run and two RBIs.Eye on the D

Detroit’s starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey picked up the victory, allowing four runs on 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings.

The Marlins were led by Giancarlo Stanton with a home run and three RBIs while Christian Yelich added a double and an RBI.

The Tigers are now 39-38 on the season, good for third place in the American League Central Division behind the first-place Cleveland Indians.

Detroit will look to sweep the four-game season series against the Marlins with a win Wednesday afternoon.

Record: 39-38

3rd Place in AL Central Division (7.5 games behind first-place Cleveland)

1.5 games behind Toronto for last Wild Card spot

Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 88

Magic # to clinch an AL Central Division title: 94

Next Game: 06/29/2016 vs. Miami Marlins 1:10 p.m. @ Comerica Park

Hitting stats: Miguel Cabrera HR (17) 3 RBI (48), Nick Castellanos 3B (3) HR (14) 2 RBI (42), Jose Iglesias HR (3) 2 RBI (19), Ian Kinsler 2B (15).

Pitching stats: Mike Pelfrey W (2-7) 5.1 IP 12 H 4 R 4 ER 1 BB 1 K, Francisco Rodriguez SV (21) 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 1 K.