CLEVELAND — Miguel Cabrera drove in a run to tie Mel Ott for 11th place on the career RBIs list and Akil Baddoo homered on the second pitch of the game, sending the Detroit Tigers to a 4-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians in the opener of a doubleheader on Friday.
Cabrera’s first-inning double scored Kerry Carpenter, giving him 1,868 RBIs in 21 major league seasons. It also was his 3,148th hit, putting the 40-year-old within four of tying Paul Waner for 18th all-time.
“Miggy is one of the best ever, so that’s pretty awesome,” Carpenter said. “He’s getting hits all over the park now. It’s fun to watch.”
Baddoo’s second career leadoff homer came off rookie Gavin Williams (1-4), whose winless streak reached seven starts. The right-hander worked five innings, allowing three runs, and struck out four.
Tarik Skubal (3-2) pitched a season-high six innings of one-run ball in his first win against Cleveland in seven career outings. The left-hander allowed three hits, struck out seven and walked one.
“When good pitchers get in a rhythm, it’s tough, and he certainly is a good pitcher,” Guardians manager Terry Francona said. “Skubal has got really good stuff.”
Tyler Holton got six outs after Skubal departed, and Jason Foley surrendered one run while earning his sixth save.
“I feel good, and I felt good after the sixth inning, too,” Skubal said. “For me, it’s all a mentality about really focusing.”
Carpenter extended his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest active streak in the majors, with an RBI single in a three-run first. Oscar Gonzalez drove in both Guardians runs.
Jake Rogers tacked on a solo homer for Detroit against Eli Morgan in the ninth.
Cleveland reliever James Karinchak was recalled from Triple-A Columbus and pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings. The former closer was optioned to the minors on June 10.
Detroit leads the majors with six doubleheaders, including an April 18 sweep of the Guardians at Comerica Park. Cleveland, which is playing its fourth twin-bill, dropped all six games in its first three.
Guardians right-hander Xzavion Curry faces Tigers left-hander Joey Wentz in the second game. Wentz is serving as their 27th man for the day.
Tigers shortstop Javier Báez joined the team for the nightcap after traveling to Puerto Rico following the death of his grandfather.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: RHP Spencer Turnbull (neck soreness) must be activated or optioned to Triple-A Toledo by Thursday, when his rehab assignment reaches the maximum 30 days. Turnbull has allowed 11 runs in 12 2/3 innings with the Mud Hens.
Guardians: RHP Michael Kelly (lower back strain) was placed on the 15-day IL. Kelly has a 1-0 record and a team-low 2.84 ERA over 11 appearances since his initial recall from Triple-A Columbus on June 3.
UP NEXT
Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (9-2, 2.90 ERA) takes on Tigers RHP Matt Manning (4-4, 4.60 ERA) in the third game of the series. Bibee is tied for the AL rookie lead in wins with Houston’s Hunter Brown and J.P. France.
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