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Fielder's 2 HRs lift Tigers over Orioles

Aug 18, 2012 - 4:41 AM Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Prince Fielder hit a pair of two-run homers, including the go-ahead blast in the eighth inning, to lift the Detroit Tigers to a 5-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a three-game set at Comerica Park.

Miguel Cabrera worked a two-out walk before Fielder welcomed reliever J.C. Romero with the go-ahead shot to right field.

Fielder also homered in the sixth inning to tie the game. Miguel Cabrera added a homer for the Tigers, who have won three in a row.

"Prince was huge for us," said Detroit catcher Alex Avila. "He's the player of this game. Just came up huge when we just couldn't get anything really going as a whole offensively."

Justin Verlander started for Detroit and allowed three runs on six hits and struck out six over six frames. Joaquin Benoit (2-3) earned the win after tossing a perfect eighth.

Jose Valverde worked around a leadoff double in the ninth to pick up his 23rd save of the season.

Matt Wieters had a two-run homer and Nick Markakis had two doubles and knocked in a run for the Orioles, who have lost two in a row after winning three straight.

Darren O'Day (6-1) was saddled with the loss after putting Cabrera on in the eighth before Fielder's homer.

"It's a part of playing every day at this level," said Baltimore manager Buck Showalter. "We'll put it behind us and be ready to play (Saturday)."

In the first, Cabrera's 31st home run of the season put the Tigers on the board.

Baltimore tied it in the third when Markakis ripped a double to right-center to score Omar Quintilla, who led off with a walk.

Wieters' homer in the fifth gave Baltimore a 3-1 advantage. J.J. Hardy singled to open the frame and three hitters later Wieters deposited his 17th homer of the season deep into the seats in right.

Fielder's two-run shot in the sixth knotted it up at 3-3. Cabrera singled before Fielder hammered a towering homer to right-center, his 21st of the season.

Manny Machado doubled to open the ninth but Valverde was able to retire the next three batters to secure the win.

Game Notes

Verlander tied a season-high with four walks ... Verlander has pitched at least six innings in all but one start this season ... Fielder has 24 multi- homer games ... Since moving to the leadoff spot 34 games ago, Markakis is batting .321 with nine doubles and 15 RBI ... Baltimore was 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base ... Mark Reynolds and Buck Showalter were both ejected by first base umpire Jeff Kellogg in the fifth inning after arguing a controversial call at first base. Jhonny Peralta was originally called out by Kellogg but the call was overturned by home plate umpire Tim Timmons. Reynolds was replaced by Joe Mahoney.