Tigers 4, Red Sox 3: Michael Fulmer’s solid start completes sweep of Boston

The Red Sox got their first taste of Michael Fulmer, and they came up empty for much of the day. With help from Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, who tattooed the ball all over the field, the bullpen locked down the remainder of the game for a 4-3 win and a sweep of the Red Sox.

The offense, despite their many hits, had little to show for it. Luckily for Fulmer, the defense more than made up for it. Tyler Collins turned a dazzling 8-2 inning-ending double play on a throw home to prevent a run, and Fulmer’s only two run-scoring mistakes landed in the bleachers.

After a long slumber, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez came to life. Combined, they were on-base eight times including a walk, and the designated hitter drove in two of the four runs on a two-run single. Another came off the bat of James McCann, who smashed a 1-0 changeup over the Green Monster for a solo shot.

Both teams were neck and neck throughout the game, but Fulmer was dominant. He kept the No. 3 and 4 hitters — David Ortiz and Jackie Bradley, Jr. — off the bases entirely and they went 0-for-8 with a strikeout on the day. The Red Sox had just seven hits and no one player had multiple hits.

ROARS:

Michael Fulmer: Went 7 2/3 innings and gave up three runs. The last was the tying run, but really, he got little help from the offense.

Cabrera/V-Mart: Went 7-for-8 with a walk and three runs driven in. Cabrera’s run was a solo shot that bounced off the top of the wall.

James McCann: Blasted a solo shot for the third run at the time.

Bullpen: Rondon breathed fire and kept the Red Sox from inflicting further damage. Justin Wilson made light work of the ninth inning.

HISSES:

Tigers offense: They had double digits in hits but they couldn’t capitalize on the several opportunities.

STATS AND INFO:

• Victor Martinez’s four-hit day was his third of the season, and the 18th of his career. His last was on May 10 against the Nationals at Washington.
• Miguel Cabrera’s homer was his 18th go-ahead hit this season, and his 10th go-ahead home run this year.
• Cabrera’s home run was also his 14th career go-ahead home run in the ninth inning or later. His last was on May 13, 2014 at the Orioles.
• Aaaand third, Cabrera’s dinger was his 429th career homer, tying him with Adrian Beltre for 47th in MLB history.
• Justin Wilson got the first save of his career.
• The Indians lost, so the Tigers are now 2 1/2 games behind for the Wild Card, and 4 1/2 for first place in the American League Central.

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