Flushing, NY – Miguel Cabrera and Andy Dirks each had two-run home runs and the Detroit Tigers swept a three-game series against the New York Mets with an 11-3 victory on Sunday.
Dirks drove in three runs for the Tigers, who took three straight from the Mets for the first time since June 20-23, 1997. Victor Martinez, Ramon Santiago, Omar Infante, Matt Tuiasosopo and Austin Jackson each had an RBI apiece in the victory.
Rick Porcello (10-7) gave up three runs on four hits and three walks over seven innings.
"It was nice to come in here, get a win and complete a sweep," said Porcello. "And I guess it made it a little bit sweeter that it was a team that I watched growing up.
Travis d'Arnaud hit a two-run shot for his first career home run and Daniel Murphy drove in the other run for the Mets, who have lost four straight.
Dillon Gee (9-9) allowed four runs on 10 hits and a pair of walks in six frames, taking his first loss since July 27.
"I didn't have much command today. I knew it was going to be bad early on," said Gee. Not only are they good, but they're swinging their bats well. Definitely tough one through nine."
Austin Jackson singled to start the game. After Torii Hunter was retired, Cabrera clubbed his 42nd home run of the season.
In the third, Omar Quintanilla walked and later scored on Murphy's two-out blooper up the middle.
An inning later, Ike Davis walked to start the inning but Justin Turner grounded into a double play. Juan Lagares hit an infield single and d'Arnaud smashed a 1-0 pitch to center to give the Mets a 3-2 lead.
However, the Tigers would retake the lead for good in the sixth. Martinez singled to left to lead off before Dirks hammered a two-run shot to right.
A seven-run ninth sealed the game for Detroit. With LaTroy Hawkins pitching, Hunter, Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Martinez hit consecutive singles, the last of which scored Hunter. Hawkins then walked Dirks, bringing Cabrera home, and was replaced by Scott Atchison.
Infante plated Fielder with a single to left, then pinch-runner Bryan Holaday scored on a wild pitch. Santiago and pinch-hitter Tuiasosopo hit back-to-back RBI singles and Jackson capped the inning by scoring Santiago on a sacrifice fly.
Game Notes
Cabrera has 10 home runs in his last 19 games ... In six career games against the Mets, Dirks is 8-for-14 with four home runs and six RBI. He also recorded his first multi-RBI game since July 4 ... Hunter was 1-for-6 ... The Mets are 5-for-34 with runners in scoring position over their last five games. Overall, they are hitting .244 with RISP this season.
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