DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera had a grand slam among his three hits as the Detroit Tigers snapped a 10-game home losing streak with a 9-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.
Cabrera, who had five RBIs, was back in the lineup after missing two games with chronic knee pain. He said before the game he will be a full-time DH until the knee improves.
Detroit last won at home on May 8, and went 0-9 on a homestand from May 13-23.
Willy Adames hit a grand slam for the Rays.
Blake Snell (3-5) allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings. The six earned runs were one short of his career high, set on May 1 against the Kansas City Royals.
Ryan Carpenter (1-2) picked up his second career win, giving up two runs on seven hits in seven innings. Shane Greene pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 20 tries.
Cabrera began the scoring with an RBI single in the first.
Avisail Garcia, who was mentored by Cabrera when he started his career in Detroit and now wears his No. 24, gave the Rays a 2-1 lead with a two-run homer in the third.
Christin Stewart tied the game with an RBI single in the fifth, and Nicholas Castellanos walked to load the bases for Cabrera. He fell behind 0-2 before hitting a curveball into the Tigers’ dugout for his fifth career grand slam.
Cabrera singled in the seventh and received a standing ovation when he was removed for a pinch runner. Dawel Lugo hit a two-run triple later in the inning and made it 9-2 when he scored on a passed ball.
The Rays loaded the bases in the eighth on two walks and a hit batter. Adames made it 9-6 with his fifth homer of the season and first career grand slam. Like Garcia, Adames began his career in the Tigers’ organization.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays: C Michael Perez (oblique strain) was scheduled to start a rehab assignment with Class-A Charlotte, with INF Joey Wendle (wrist) expected to join him on Wednesday.
Tigers: 2B Josh Harrison will require surgery on his hamstring and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. With Cabrera unavailable in the field, SS Jody Mercer still sidelined with a right quad strain and 3B Jeimer Candelario on the injured list with a shoulder problem, the Tigers are using Brandon Dixon at first, Ronny Rodriguez at second, Niko Goodrum at short and Lugo at third.
UP NEXT
The teams play the second of the three-game series on Wednesday night, with Tampa Bay’s Charlie Morton (6-0, 2.54) facing Tigers rookie Spencer Turnbull (3-4, 2.84).
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