The Detroit Tigers kept on swinging their hot bats on Friday night. Paced by Prince Fielder's four RBIs, the Tigers smacked 16 hits and scored 10 runs on their way to a 10-2 victory in the series opener against the Cleveland Indians.
Detroit went to the bottom of the third inning tied at 1-1. Fielder doubled in two runs to stake the Tigers to a lead that they would not relinquish. Fielder capped off a four-run fourth inning with his 18th homer of the year. Cleveland starter Justin Masterson was on the receiving end of the Tigers' offensive explosion, giving up seven runs in four innings.
Anibal Sanchez picked up his first win since being acquired by the Tigers. He pitched six innings, allowing just two runs, one earned. He struck out five and walked two.
The win puts Detroit two games behind the White Sox in the chase for the AL Central. Chicago is playing a late game on the West Coast in L.A.
Detroit and Cleveland are at it again on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.
Head over to Bless You Boys for more Tigers coverage, and be sure to visit Let's Go Tribe for more news on the Indians. Also be sure to check out Baseball Nation for more MLB news and analysis.