Matt Vierling had three hits, including a two-run homer, and the host Detroit Tigers defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in the final game of Miguel Cabrera’s career on Sunday.
The Tigers’ longtime designated hitter, who is retiring after 21 seasons in the majors at age 40, went 0-for-3 with a walk.
It also marked the final game of Terry Francona’s managerial career with the Guardians. He also is retiring.
Winning pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (13-9) held Cleveland to two runs — one earned — and four hits in seven innings. Alex Lange recorded his 26th save.
Andy Ibanez and Kerry Carpenter drove in a run apiece for the Tigers (78-84).
Cleveland starter Lucas Giolito (8-15) gave up five runs in five innings. Tyler Freeman homered for the Guardians (76-86).
The Tigers’ Parker Meadows walked and Spencer Torkelson singled in the first. Giolito struck out Cabrera before Carpenter ripped an opposite-field single to score Meadows.
Rodriguez struck out two batters in the second. Akil Baddoo led off the bottom of the inning with a double. Javier Baez followed with a ground-rule double to knock in Baddoo.
Cleveland had two baserunners with two outs in the third, but Josh Naylor grounded out.
Cabrera struck out again in the bottom of the inning. Vierling smacked a two-out double and Ibanez singled to center to bring him home for a 3-0 advantage.
The Guardians scored a run in the fourth. Ramon Laureano reached on a Rodriguez error, stole second and moved to third on a flyout. He scored on Brayan Rocchio’s groundout.
Cabrera popped up with two on and two outs in the bottom of the inning.
Freeman led off the fifth with his fourth homer to cut Detroit’s lead to one run.
The Tigers made it 5-2 in the bottom of the inning when Carpenter walked and Vierling smacked his 10th homer over the left-field wall.
Cabrera walked on four pitches leading off the seventh. Carpenter then bounced into a double play.
Cabrera came in to play first base in the eighth and recorded the putout on a Steven Kwan grounder. He was then removed from the game as the capacity crowd cheered and chanted his name.
–Field Level Media