| Sign Up | Google+

Detroit Tigers win second consecutive Central Division crown

Stay connected for news and updates

Ed Zurga - Getty Images

With a 6-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals, the Tigers won the American League Central Division crown for a second consecutive season. It's their first time making back-to-back playoff appearances since 1934-35.

The Detroit Tigers are back-to-back Central Division champions.

Detroit never trailed the Royals, winning 6-3, to clinch the division title. Detroit last won back-to-back division titles in 1934-35. You know what happened in the second year of that run, right?

The Tigers got on the board in the fifth inning with a home run by Jhonny Peralta, but the fun officially began in the sixth.

Miguel Cabrera blasted a solo home run -- his 44th of the year, giving him sole possession of the American League home-run lead during his quest for a Triple Crown -- then the flood gates opened. A pair of doubles buttressing a Royals error, a single an an intentional walk lifted the Tigers to a 6-0 lead.

Cabrera went 4-for-5 for the night, increasing his batting average to .329 for the season. He leads Los Angeles' Mike Trout by 6 points and Minnesota's Joe Mauer by 7 points in that category. He also leads Josh Hamilton by 10 RBI in that one.

A solo home run off Rick Porcello was his only damage on the day. He gave up four hits and three walks before being lifted with a 6-1 lead in the sixth inning.

The Tigers made things a bit more dramatic than their fans would like. A rare off game by reliever Al Alburquerque coupled with another off night by reliever Joaquin Benoit let the game get to 6-3 after eight innings.

Tigers closer Jose Valverde allowed a base runner, naturally, before escaping the inning without any blemishes.

Prince Fielder also had four hits. Peralta and Andy Dirks had two hits apiece.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Stay connected for news and updates

In This StoryStream

There are 264 Comments. Load Now. Loading

Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.

C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read

R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next

Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read

Comment Settings

Live comment alert: Hide it!

Comments for this post are closed.

tracking_pixel_5351_tracker