Chicago, IL – Brennan Boesch went 4-for-5 with a solo homer, two runs batted in and two runs scored, as the Detroit Tigers rallied past the Chicago Cubs, 8-4, in the middle installment of a three-game series.
Jhonny Peralta went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored for the Tigers, who bounced back from a 4-3 loss in the opener of this set on Tuesday. Ramon Santiago knocked in two runs.
"There's been a lot of talk about our win/loss record up to this point," said Boesch. "But we've been scratching out some wins lately and that's building character in this clubhouse."
Detroit starter Rick Porcello (4-4) gave up four runs on nine hits over five innings to pick up his first win since May 6. He struck out five and walked one.
Joe Mather, Tony Campana, Alfonso Soriano and Bryan LaHair each had an RBI for the Cubs, who had a brief two-game winning streak snapped.
Matt Garza (2-5) allowed five runs -- three earned -- on seven hits over six full frames to take the loss.
"It is what it is, you know," said Garza. "I'm just gonna do the same old thing and get ready for the next one. I felt great tonight and felt like I could of went further."
Trailing by three, 4-1, the Tigers scored four times in the sixth to go in front. Garza, who had retired eight straight batters, gave up a leadoff single to Boesch. Miguel Cabrera then reached first on third baseman Mather's fielding error. One out later, Delmon Young hit an RBI single to right. Peralta followed with a two-run double to right-center field. A bunt single by Gerald Laird put men on the corners with one out. Santiago's RBI groundout gave Detroit a 5-4 edge.
Boesch added a solo homer during the Tigers' next at-bat to make it a 6-4 game.
Detroit tacked on two more runs in the eighth to build an 8-4 margin. Peralta welcomed Jairo Asencio to the mound with a triple down the right-field line, which got past a sliding David DeJesus. Santiago struck out swinging after Laird walked. Pinch-hitter Quintin Berry hit an RBI single up the middle. Berry stole second with two outs to put men on second and third. Boesch's single to left knocked in Laird, but Berry was thrown out at the plate.
The Cubs put men on first and second with two outs in the ninth. Starlin Castro stepped to the plate and hit the ball deep to left-center field. Austin Jackson made a nice catch against the wall to end the game.
The Tigers got on the board in the second inning. Young reached base when he grounded into a fielder's choice. Peralta followed with a single and Laird was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Santiago plated a run when he grounded out.
But the Cubs responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Steve Clevenger doubled, moved to third on Darwin Barney's single and raced home on Mather's base hit to left. A sacrifice bunt by Garza put runners on second and third. Campana drove in a run when he grounded out, making it a 2-1 game.
Chicago tacked on two more runs in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. Castro singled to right and crossed the plate on Soriano's two-out double down the left-field line. LaHair added an RBI double to left-center field. A wild pitch moved LaHair to third, but Clevenger flied out to end the inning.
Game Notes
Garza's stretch of 16 consecutive home starts having allowed three or fewer earned runs is the longest for any Cubs pitcher since Mark Prior did so in 16- straight home starts from September 30, 2004-September 28, 2005...The Cubs were trying to win five straight home games for the first time since July 22- August 6 of last season...Chicago third baseman Ian Stewart missed the game due to a sore left wrist.
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