The Detroit Tigers opened their four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays with a 5-2 win on Thursday night at Tropicana Field.
The Tigers were fueled on offense by center fielder Austin Jackson and third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who each collected four hits on the night. Cabrera knocked in a pair of runs to help seal the win, first driving in Jackson with a sixth-inning single and then adding an insurance run in the top of the ninth with a homer off Rays reliever Wade Davis.
Right-hander Max Scherzer gave the Tigers a strong effort on the mound, giving up two runs on four hits in six innings to earn the win. Scherzer moved his record to 7-5, and the bullpen supported the effort with three scoreless innings, as Jose Valverde earned his 14th save on the season.
The Tigers beat Tampa Bay right-hander James Shields, who pitched into the eighth inning but gave up 14 hits along the way and saw his record drop to 7-5.
The two teams will meet up again on Friday night at 7:10 p.m. ET.
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