The Sports Xchange
Jul 16, 2017
DETROIT -- Miguel Cabrera drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the 11th inning, giving the Detroit Tigers a 6-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park.
Lucas Harrell's 3-2 pitch was wide, allowing Alex Avila to score. Avila drew a leadoff walk in the frame against Jeff Beliveau (1-1). An error by third baseman Josh Donaldson extended the inning, making the run unearned.
Warwick Saupold (2-1) picked up the win with an inning of scoreless relief for Detroit (41-49).
J.D. Martinez, who drove in two runs, tied the game with a solo homer in the eighth. Martinez left the game in the 10th inning for a pinch runner after stealing second base.
Justin Upton and James McCann supplied run-scoring doubles. Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez gave up five runs on nine hits over six innings.
Justin Smoak and Jose Bautista hit two-run homers and Kendrys Morales added a solo shot for Toronto (42-49).
Toronto starter Marco Estrada gave up four runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings.
The Blue Jays put on a power display with two outs in the first. Donaldson doubled prior to Smoak's home run. Morales then followed with his 17th long ball of the season to make it 3-0.
Estrada gave all those runs back in the bottom of the inning. Upton doubled with runners on the corners to bring home the first run. Cabrera and J.D. Martinez followed with sacrifice flies.
A miscommunication in the outfield allowed Detroit to grab a 4-3 advantage in the fourth. Alex Presley led off with a fly ball to right center. Both center fielder Kevin Pillar and right fielder Jose Bautista backed off from it, gifting a double to Presley. James McCann's long fly ball to left popped out of left fielder Ezequiel Carrera's glove as he jumped near the wall, allowing Presley to score.
Toronto regained the lead in the next inning at 5-4 on Bautista's two-run line shot over the left field wall, his 16th homer of the year.
Martinez knotted the score leading off the eighth with his 16th homer of the year off Danny Barnes. The ball just snuck over the right-field wall and was initially ruled a double prior to a review.
NOTES: Blue Jays LHP Francisco Liriano was still feeling soreness on the right side of his neck and back on Sunday after his abbreviated start on Saturday. Liriano lasted just two innings and was charged with five earned runs before he departed with neck tightness. It is uncertain if he will make his scheduled start on Thursday, but he did not require an MRI exam. ... Toronto has not been better than tied for fourth in the American League East standings all season. ... The Blue Jays continue a 10-game road trip in Boston on Monday, while Detroit begins a seven-game trek in Kansas City. ... Tigers OF Alex Presley made his 16th start in center field on Sunday. He is one of five players who have started at least 15 games in center this season.