DETROIT _ Miguel Cabrera came off the disabled list and resumed his domination of Indians right-hander Corey Kluber. Cabrera hit a two-run home run in the third inning, his sixth career home run off Kluber.
It was Cabrera's his first game back from a 10-day stint on the DL for a right groin strain.
The Detroit Tigers went on to beat the Cleveland Indians, 5-2, on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.
It was the fourth win in five meetings this season for the Tigers over the Indians. The Tigers were 4-14 last season against the Tribe.
Cabrera came into the game batting .440 lifetime against Kluber. Cabrera's two-run shot was part of a three-run third inning for the Tigers.
Justin Verlander allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings for the Tigers. He allowed four walks and struck out five.
Kluber allowed five hits on seven hits over three innings. He walked one and struck out one. It was announced in the sixth inning that Kluber left the game with lower back discomfort.
Cabrera sent a 94 mph fastball from Kluber over the fence in left-center for his fourth home run of the season.
The last time Verlander and Kluber faced off in a pitching duel, on April 15 in Cleveland, the Tigers lost 13-6.
The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first inning Tuesday night on an RBI single by Michael Brantley that scored Carlos Santana.
The Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Ian Kinsler scored on a two-out single by Victor Martinez.
Alex Avila singled in each of his first two at-bats to help the Tigers add more runs. Andrew Romine hit an RBI double to score Avila in the second inning. Romine came into the game batting .133 (2-for-15) lifetime against Kluber.
After Cabrera's two-run home run in the third, Avila added a two-out RBI single to give the Tigers a 5-1 lead.
Cabrera left the game after grounding into a double play in the seventh inning. Romine moved from shortstop to first base for the final two innings and Jose Iglesias finished the game at short.
The Indians cut the deficit to 5-2 in the sixth inning. Lonnie Chisenhall hit an RBI triple to right to score Jose Ramirez.
Justin Wilson allowed one hit in the eighth and struck out two for the Tigers.
Yan Gomes hit a two-out double to right off Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez in the ninth, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Rodriguez fell behind 3-0 to Carlos Santana, battled back to a full count and eventually gave up a walk to put runners on the corners and the tying run at the plate. But Rodriguez got out of the jam when Francisco Lindor hit a pop up to third.
