Tigers Beat Orioles 7-3
DETROIT (AP) -- J.D. Martinez made a terrific catch against the wall in right field, then homered two innings later to help the Detroit Tigers to a 7-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.
Victor Martinez and Jose Iglesias also went deep for Detroit, and Anibal Sanchez (9-7) worked in and out of trouble for six innings. It was the first meeting between the teams since Baltimore swept Detroit in last year's AL Division Series.
With the Tigers up 3-1 in the third, J.D. Martinez reached up to catch Chris Davis' drive when it looked like the ball might clear the wall in right. In the fifth, the All-Star hit a solo homer, his 26th of the year, moving him into a tie for the AL lead with Albert Pujols and Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels.
Ubaldo Jimenez (7-5) allowed seven runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 innings. He struck out five.
Detroit and Baltimore came into this game with identical 44-44 records -- and there has even been talk that the Tigers might be better off trading some of their pending free agents and focusing on 2016. Both teams are still in the postseason race, though, and Sanchez won his sixth straight decision. He allowed two runs and eight hits.
Victor Martinez hit a two-run homer in the first inning, and Anthony Gose's RBI double in the second made it 3-1. The Orioles loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth, but they managed only one run on an RBI fielder's choice by Chris Parmelee.
Jimmy Paredes lined out to right to end the Baltimore fourth -- J.D. Martinez came in to make the catch, only to have the ball nearly sail over his head.
Iglesias, who also represented Detroit at this week's All-Star Game, hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning to make it 6-2.
Joakim Soria, who allowed four runs without retiring a batter in his previous appearance July 10, pitched the ninth in a non-save situation.
The Orioles went 1 for 14 with men in scoring position.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Orioles: Manager Buck Showalter says RHP Jason Garcia (right shoulder tendinitis) has been throwing with good velocity and feels good physically. Garcia began a rehab assignment earlier this month.
Tigers: Manager Brad Ausmus said there's nothing new to report on slugger Miguel Cabrera, who has been recovering from a left calf strain. Cabrera is expected back next month.
UP NEXT
Detroit LHP David Price (9-2) faces Baltimore RHP Chris Tillman (6-7) on Saturday night. The Tigers are 15-3 this year when Price pitches.
(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
