(SportsNetwork.com) – The Detroit Tigers aim to stay unbeaten on Monday when
they head to Pittsburgh for the Pirates’ home opener at PNC Park.
Detroit continued to roll on Sunday, as Miguel Cabrera went 4-for-4 with his
first two homers of the season and four RBI to lead the Tigers to an 8-5 win
over the Cleveland Indians.
J.D. Martinez chipped in three hits and three RBI, including a solo homer in
the ninth inning for some insurance for the Tigers, who are 6-0 for the first
time since 1985 and have outscored their opponents 47-16 this season.
Left-hander Kyle Lobstein (1-0) got his first win in three starts against the
Indians after giving up three runs, eight hits and two walks in five innings.
Getting the call for the Tigers on Monday will be righty Anibal Sanchez, who
was terrific in his first start. Sanchez defeated the Minnesota Twins on
Wednesday, as he scattered three hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings.
The 2013 AL ERA champ has allowed a .204 career average to the Pirates.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, bounced back from a season-opening sweep in Cincinnati
to take two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers. On Sunday, Andrew McCutchen
homered and had four RBI to power the Pirates to a 10-2 win.
Casey Sadler (1-0) was solid in his first major league start, allowing two
runs on four hits and a walk in five innings with five strikeouts. He was
called on to start after Francisco Liriano was placed on the paternity leave
list.
On Monday, Pittsburgh will rely on righty Gerrit Cole on Monday. The talented
right-hander did not get a decision on Wednesday in Cincinnati, as he yielded
three runs and five hits in five innings of his team’s 5-4 loss.
Cole, though, could find the win column on Monday, as he owns a 4-1
interleague record in six starts, with 39 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings, and an
11-6 career mark in PNC Park.
The Pirates were 9-2 in games Cole started at home last season.
Pittsburgh split four games with the Tigers last season.
