Miguel Cabrera Shines in Final Visit to Marlins, Tigers Secure 5-0 Victory
The Detroit Tigers dominated the Miami Marlins with a 5-0 victory in a game that showcased the star power of Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera. Playing in his final visiting series against the Marlins, Cabrera received a warm welcome from the crowd as he doubled and singled in four at-bats, further solidifying his legendary status in the sport. The game, which was promoted as Venezuelan Heritage Day, drew the largest home crowd for the Marlins since April 2017, with 32,936 fans in attendance.
Cabrera expressed his joy at being able to participate in these outings during his final year in the big leagues. He emphasized his happiness with the Tigers’ performance and expressed hopes for winning the series. The Tigers’ victory was a collective effort, with contributions from various players, including Akil Badoo and Riley Greene, who both hit home runs. Zack Short also made an impact with two doubles.
On the pitching side, Joey Wentz played a crucial role, pitching 4 2/3 innings in relief after Beau Brieske started the bullpen game and went two innings. Wentz, who was optioned to Triple-A on June 29 and called back up before the game, showcased his skills by striking out five batters and earning his first win since May 8. Jason Foley, Tyler Holton, and Alex Lange closed out the game, completing the shutout.
The Marlins struggled to gain momentum throughout the game, with their offensive efforts falling short. Luis Arraez stood out with a 2-for-4 performance, further increasing his major league-leading batting average to .381. However, the Marlins’ overall performance has been lackluster since the All-Star break, with a 3-10 record during that time.
The Tigers took an early lead with Badoo’s three-run homer in the second inning. Javier Báez walked and Cabrera doubled before Badoo smashed a slider from Marlins starter Johnny Cueto over the left field wall for his fifth home run of the season. Greene added to the Tigers’ lead in the sixth inning with a solo home run, his eighth of the year. The Tigers sealed their victory with Short’s RBI double in the ninth inning against J.T. Chargois.
The game also featured a tribute to Cabrera, with eight retired Venezuelan players, including Dave Concepción and Omar Vizquel, participating in the ceremony. Concepción, who threw the ceremonial first pitch to Venezuelan player Arraez, added to the special atmosphere of the day.
Looking ahead, the Tigers will face the Marlins in the series finale, with Tarik Skubal set to start for the Tigers and Jesús Luzardo taking the mound for the Marlins.
Overall, the Tigers’ dominant performance and Cabrera’s standout play made for an exciting game and a memorable visit to the Marlins. As Cabrera’s retirement looms, fans and players alike look forward to witnessing his legacy on the field while cherishing the moments he has left in the game.
