Ray Shines, Cabrera Comes Alive as Tigers Win Seven Straight

There has been a different Miguel Cabrera stepping to the plate every game for Detroit. On Tuesday, it was the one the Tigers want to see.

The MVP went 4-for-5, with four RBIs, including a solo shot in the first. It was Cabrera’s second four-hit game of the season and his first since April 4. The big fella for Detroit has gotten off to a slow start in the month of April, only batting .275.

A hot start combined with a relatively easy schedule has helped Cabrera start the month of May on a tear, hitting .364 with eight RBIs over five games.

Tigers rookie Robbie Ray also turned some heads during his MLB debut, going 5 1/3 innings. Ray hardly needed a dominating performance with the run support he received, but gave up only one run and five hits. The only run surrendered came due to a botched play by second baseman Ian Kinsler, allowing the baserunners to advance that set up the fielder’s choice run by Houston’s Chris Carter. At one point, Ray retired 10 straight Astros.

Eyebrows were raised when Detroit dealt Doug Fister for the younger, untested Robbie Ray in the offseason. A standing ovation as Ray left the mound in the sixth may silence the doubters for a while.

Detroit continues their pounding of recent opponents. In their last five games, Detroit has scored more than eight runs in four of them. In total, the Tigers have combined for 39 runs and 66 hits in May. A team that was re-tooled for speed over power over the last months has not seemed to have affected the bats. After Tuesday’s victory Detroit also claimed the best record in the majors over the 22-12 Brewers.

Tonight’s matchup sends Rick Porcello (4-1) of the Tigers to face Brad Peacock (0-0) of the Astros.

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Impact Stats:

Torii Hunter wasted no time leaving his hitting streak in jeopardy. Hunter took the fourth pitch he saw in the first inning into right-center, hitting safely in 13 straight games played.

Detroit’s seven straight win is their longest winning streak since July 26-Aug 8 in 2013. Detroit won 12 straight games and 16 of 17, solidifying themselves as the leaders in the AL Central.


Richie Cozzolino is host of Tiger Talk for Impact Sports.