Tigers win Slugfest against Orioles

(Photo: Carlos Osorio/Associated Press)

The Detroit Tigers (20-19) win the slugfest against the Baltimore Orioles (23-16) 6-5 as both teams combine for five home runs in the rubber game. Baltimore now lost six of their last seven games.

The Orioles were off to a blistering start. CF Adam Jones hit a two-out single in the top of the first inning and 1B Chris Davis followed with his ninth home run of the season to put Baltimore up 2-0.

The Birds added another run in the second frame. 3B Ryan Flaherty singled with one out and advanced to third base on a two-out single by SS J.J. Hardy. RF Seth Smith followed with a single and drove in Ryan Flaherty for a 3-0 lead. At his point, the Orioles already had 5 hits against Detroit’s SP Jordan Zimmerman.

Detroit’s offense came to life in the third inning. SS Jose Iglesias led off with a double and moved to third base on a one-out infield single from 3B Nicholas Castellanos. RF J.D. Martinez was up next and homered to tie the game at three runs apiece. J.D. Martinez now has five home runs in his last five games.

Baltimore regained the lead in the fifth with a two-out homer by Adam Jones. It was his sixth long ball of the year.

The Tigers had the right response in the bottom of the frame. J.D. Martinez walked with one out and DH Victor Martinez followed with his third home run of the season to give Detroit their first lead of the day.

But the Tigers weren’t done yet. LF Justin Upton singled next and C Alex Avila followed with an RBI-double to put Detroit up 6-4.

Jordan Zimmerman (4-2) was finished after 6 innings. He allowed 7 hits, 1 walk and 4 earned runs while fanning 6. After settling down he took command with his curve ball. He now has a 6.25 ERA with a 1.61 WHIP on the season.

SP Dylan Bundy (5-2) went 6 innings for the O’s, giving up 8 hits, 4 walks and 6 earned runs while striking out 3. His ERA and WHIP increased to 2.97 and 1.13, respectively.

Baltimore’s Seth Smith took advantage of the pitching change and hit a home run off RP Blaine Hardy to cut the deficit to one. It was his fourth homer of the year.

RP Alex Wilson closed out the game for Detroit because CL Justin Wilson needed some rest after appearing in the previous two games. Alex Wilson pitched a perfect ninth to earn his second save of the season.

J.D. Martinez went 1-for-1 with 2 runs, 1 HR and 3 RBI. He is batting .500 and has 7 runs, 5 HR and 11 RBI.

The Baltimore Orioles return home to host a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays (17-24) from Friday to Sunday.

The Detroit Tigers continue their homestand with a three-game series against the Texas Rangers (21-20) from Friday through Sunday.