Detroit Tigers beat New York Mets

Victor Martinez #41 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates his two rum homer with teammate Miguel Cabrera #24 in the fourth inning during a MLB game against the New York Mets at Comerica Park on August 5, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan.

(Aug. 5, 2016 - Source: Dave Reginek/Getty Images North America)

The Detroit Tigers (60-49) beat the New York Mets (56-53) 4-3 in the opener of their three-game series. Detroit won nine of their last ten games.

The Tigers scored the first run of the game. 2B Ian Kinsler singled to lead off the bottom of the first inning. With one out he went on to steal second and third base. 1B Miggy Cabrera eventually grounded out but drove in Ian Kinsler for the lead.

New York responded in the fourth inning. RF Jay Bruce drew a one-out walk and 3B Kelly Johnson hit a two-out home run to put the Mets up 2-1. It was Johnson’s sixth homer of the year.

Detroit regained the lead in the bottom of the frame. Miggy Cabrera hit a leadoff single and DH Victor Martinez homered to put the Tigers ahead 3-2. RF J.D. Martinez followed with a double and came home on a two-out RBI single by C James McCann.

CL Francisco Rodriguez gave up a run in the ninth but earned his 31st save of the season. He now posts a 2.72 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP.

New York’s SP Noah Syndergaard (9-6) pitched 6 innings, giving up 7 hits, 2 walks and 4 earned runs while striking out 7. His ERA and WHIP now stand at 2.64 and 1.16, respectively.

Detroit’s SP Justin Verlander (12-6) went 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 walk and 2 earned runs while fanning 9. He has a 3.52 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP on the season.

Victor Martinez went 1-for-3 with 1 run, 1 HR and 2 RBI. He is batting .301 and produced 43 runs, 19 HR and 64 RBI this year.