Cabrera stars as Tigers win again

Alec Brzezinski and Dejan Kalinic

Cabrera stars as Tigers win again image

Miguel Cabrera is showing no ill-effects from off-season ankle surgery, following up a four-from-five game on Saturday by going four-from-four with two home runs on Sunday in an 8-5 win over the Cleveland Indians.

The Tigers are off to a 6-0 start for the first time since 1985.

Elsewhere, the New York Yankees crushed the Boston Red Sox 14-4, while the Kansas City Royals stayed perfect with a 9-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

The St Louis Cardinals edged the Cincinnati Reds 7-5, the Toronto Blue Jays overcame the Baltimore Orioles 10-7 and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 10-2.

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Miami Marlins 8-5, the New York Mets had a 4-3 win over the Atlanta Braves, the Washington Nationals needed 10 innings to get past the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 and pitcher Chris Sale helped the Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 6-2.

The Houston Astros needed 14 innings to overcome the Texas Rangers 6-4, the Seattle Mariners were 8-7 winners against the Oakland Athletics, the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 6-5, the Los Angeles Dodgers outlasted the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-4 and the San Francisco Giants went down to the San Diego Padres 6-4.


IMPACT PLAYERS

Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers — Cabrera proved last year he is one of the best hitters in the game with one leg. This year, with two legs, he is batting .520 after back-to-back four hit games. He went four-from-four with two home runs and four RBIs on Sunday.

Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals — Perez continued his hot start with a two-from-five night with one home run and two RBIs. The World Series runner-ups are 6-0 to start the season.

Matt Carpenter, St Louis Cardinals — Carpenter blasted a game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th inning on Sunday. He finished the day two-from-five with two runs, a home run and four RBIs.

KEY INJURIES

Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez left the game after completing the fifth inning with tightness in his quad. He is expected to make his next start against the Rangers on Saturday.

Marlins catcher Jeff Mathis and third baseman Don Kelly both fractured the fourth finger on their right hands on Sunday.

REACTION

"Obviously, it's a great accomplishment, but it's disappointing we got swept by a great ball-club," Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols said to MLB.com in regards to moving to 18th on the all-time home runs list but losing the game on Sunday.

"It's an honour and a blessing to be in the same name category as those guys. But, at the same time, I've got to stay humble, and do my best to help my team win, and I wasn't able to do that today."

"I think every time Albert hits a home run, it just keeps putting into perspective how great he is," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

"You're playing with a living legend, and he still loves to play the game."

FACT OF THE DAY

Pujols moved to 18th on the all-time home run list with 522.

Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar extended his hit streak to a MLB-leading 15 games, and is batting .375 for the season.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Detroit Tigers are at the Pittsburgh Pirates looking to maintain their perfect start, while the Boston Red Sox host the Washington Nationals.

Alec Brzezinski and Dejan Kalinic