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Smyly helps Tigers down Red Sox

Jun 7, 2014 - 3:39 AM Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Drew Smyly pitched into the sixth inning and the Detroit Tigers got back-to-back homers from Ian Kinsler and Torii Hunter in a 6-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

Victor Martinez also homered and drove in two runs, as the AL Central leaders snapped a season-high five-game skid. Hunter finished with three hits and two runs scored.

Smyly (3-4), who had been 0-3 over his last six appearances, allowed five hits and two runs -- one earned -- while striking out four. The lefty notched his first win since May 3 at Kansas City.

"It feels great for the team because we've been in a rut lately," Smyly said.

The Tigers were swept at home by the Blue Jays earlier this week, but opened this three-game set Friday by surging ahead in the middle innings.

Rubby De La Rosa (1-1) gave up nine hits and four runs over 5 2/3 innings for the Red Sox, who have lost four in a row following a seven-game victory string.

"They squared him up when he was in the strike zone," Red Sox manager John Farrell said of De La Rosa's mistakes.

Playing at Comerica Park for the first time since the 2013 AL Championship Series, the Red Sox moved ahead in the first inning. Holt led off with a single and Xander Bogaerts stroked an RBI double off the wall in left-center.

Nick Castellanos, who had three hits, scored on Andrew Romine's bouncer up the middle in the bottom of the third.

Martinez's sacrifice fly to center brought home Hunter in the fourth for a 2-1 Detroit lead. Miguel Cabrera, who was running full speed on the running catch from Jackie Bradley Jr. was doubled off first base.

Kinsler cranked a 1-0 pitch from De La Rosa over the wall in left with two outs in the fifth. Two pitches later, it was Hunter's turn as he belted his ninth homer of the year, a blast to right.

The Red Sox took advantage of an error to cut the deficit to two runs in the sixth. Romine's throwing miscue allowed Dustin Pedroia to reach safely with one out. David Ortiz then singled before Jonny Gomes lifted a sacrifice fly to center to trim the margin to 4-2.

Martinez started the bottom of the eighth by taking Chris Capuano deep to left for his 14th homer of the year. Bryan Holaday tripled to right-center and scored on Austin Jackson's sacrifice fly off Edward Mujica.

Game Notes

The Tigers sent infielder Danny Worth to Triple-A Toledo ... The Red Sox have dropped eight of their last nine regular season games at Comerica Park ... In 20 appearances, including six starts, against teams from the AL East, Smyly has a 5-0 record.