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Cabrera, Tigers rout Rays

Jul 4, 2014 - 5:24 AM Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Miguel Cabrera went 3-for-4 and scored four runs as the Detroit Tigers put on an offensive performance in an 8-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Ian Kinsler and Victor Martinez each hit a two-run home run in the first inning, and Torii Hunter added a solo shot in the frame for the Tigers, who pounded out 15 hits on the way to their fourth straight win.

"Up and down the lineup everyone did pretty well," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "Coming out of the gates with three home runs certainly doesn't guarantee a win, but you feel good when you put that number of runs up early."

Not to be outdone, Max Scherzer (10-3) had an impressive game of his own as he gave up just one run on two hits with a walk and seven strikeouts in eight innings. After allowing a run in the first inning, he allowed just one more batter to reach base over his final seven frames.

Evan Longoria drove in the only run of the game for the Rays, who had a five- game winning streak snapped. Erik Bedard (4-6) was banged up for six runs on eight hits in just two innings of work.

Longoria drove in Desmond Jennings in the first with a sacrifice fly to give the Rays an early lead, but it didn't last long.

Austin Jackson singled to start the home half of the first and Kinsler followed with his 11th home run of the season. Cabrera then walked and scored on Martinez's 21st homer of the year, and Hunter later went deep for a 5-1 lead.

"We've had a hard time coming back against good guys, and spotting Scherzer a 5-1 lead after one inning was tough," said Tampa manager Joe Maddon. "We had good energy coming out of the dugout, but that took something out of us."

J.D. Martinez singled in Cabrera in the second, Hunter drove in Cabrera in the fourth with a single, and it was Martinez scoring Cabrera again in the sixth on a fielder's choice for an 8-1 lead.

Tampa's only hit after the first inning was a two-out single from James Loney in the fourth inning.

Chad Smith polished off the game with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Game Notes

Six Tigers had multiple-hits ... Tampa has scored four runs or less in its last 19 games against Detroit, with Detroit winning 13 of those games ... Drew Smyly will pitch Friday's contest for Detroit, while Alex Cobb will toe the rubber for Tampa in the second contest of this four-game set.