DETROIT — Detroit Tigers veteran Miguel Cabrera walked from the on-deck circle to home plate Friday in front of 22,107 fans. The crowd at Comerica Park stood and offered Cabrera — one home run away from No. 500 — an ovation in the first inning.
Before each pitch, the ballpark went silent.
When Cabrera struck out in his first at-bat, he still received plenty of cheers on his way back to the dugout. It's only a matter of time before the 38-year-old becomes the 28th player in MLB history to reach 500 home runs.
As the Tigers (57-61) lost to Cleveland, 7-4, in Friday's return to Comerica Park, beginning a six-game homestand, Cabrera didn't pick up a home run, so his milestone chase continues Saturday in front of what could be the largest crowd of the season.
The loss ends a three-game winning streak.
After Cabrera struck out swinging on a curveball in the first inning, he got his next chance in the fourth. He worked a 2-1 count but flied to center on a change-up. Because the ball soared into the outfield, the fans cheered as loudly as they have in years — until realizing it only traveled 352 feet.
He grounded out to third in his third at-bat, making contact on a third-pitch slider from Cleveland starter Zach Plesac in the sixth inning. His final opportunity came in the ninth against right-handed reliever Bryan Shaw, but Cabrera flied out to center. (This fly ball went 329 feet.)
Renato Nunez drove a two-run homer to left-center in the ninth, but the Tigers still trailed by three runs. The next three batters were sent down to end the game.
Haase hits No. 19
The Tigers fell behind by four runs after four innings, but that didn't stop Eric Haase from slugging his 19th home run in 69 games in 2021. He drilled Plesac's change-up 440 feet to straightaway center, into the shrubs.
Haase took the team-lead in long balls, passing Robbie Grossman and Jonathan Schoop, who have 18 each. His fifth-inning homer had a 110.3-mph exit velocity.
The 28-year-old continues to boost his American League Rookie of the Year resume. He is competing against two teammates — outfielder Akil Baddoo and right-hander Casey Mize — and other up-and-comers around the big leagues.
Later in the fifth, the Tigers cut their deficit to 4-2 on Grossman's two-out RBI double down the right-field line. He produced a pair of doubles, also opening the first inning with a two-bagger.
After that early double though, Plesac retired 11 batters in a row until Jeimer Candelario singled in the fourth. Plesac pitched Cleveland through 7 2/3 innings, conceding two runs on five hits and zero walks. He struck out nine and tossed 101 pitches.
Allowing runs
While Plesac dealt for Cleveland, the Tigers didn't get much help from their pitching staff.
Left-hander Tyler Alexander started and gave up four runs on six hits over five innings. He did not allow a walk and recorded four strikeouts, throwing 53 of 77 pitches for strikes. Cleveland scored two runs in the third and another two in the fourth.
Ernie Clement delivered the first run, thanks to his first MLB homer, to right-center field. Playing in his 31st career game, Clement belted his second home run in the seventh inning off lefty reliever Derek Holland's first pitch, giving Cleveland a 7-2 lead.
After Clement's first home run, Amed Rosario singled for a 2-0 lead. In the fourth, Yu Chang (RBI triple) and Austin Hedges (sacrifice fly) increased the advantage to four runs. Alexander responded with a perfect sixth.
The Tigers went to Joe Jimenez for the sixth, but he only made matters worse. He made a throwing error after fielding a weak one-out grounder from Oscar Marcado, who advanced to second base and then stole third. Owen Miller's sacrifice fly scored him for a 5-2 lead.
Chang crushed a solo home run to center field to make it 6-2.
Ejection in third inning
To end the third inning, Alexander struck out Franmil Reyes looking with a 91-mph sinker.
As Alexander marched off the field, Reyes didn't agree with the call from home plate umpire Ryan Blakney. Showing his frustration, the 26-year-old went after the umpire and had to be held back by third base coach Kyle Hudson. For his actions, Reyes was ejected.
He is hitting .259 with 20 home runs and 53 RBIs in 72 games, with four homers this year against the Tigers.
