Tigers 5, Giants 3: Detroit won while you ate hot dogs

The Tigers and Giants did us all a favor as we celebrate the 241st birthday of the United States: played a fast-paced, pretty entertaining game of baseball that was over with plenty of the day to spare. Behind eight strong innings by Michael Fulmer and a 3-for-3 day by Justin Upton, Detroit beat San Francisco, 5-3.

The bad news first: Fulmer’s streak of not allowing a home run has ended. Hunter Pence hit one in the first inning for the first dinger off of Fulmer since April 29. But Victor Martinez answered with a home run of his own an inning later.

Back and forth would be the rule of the day. Detroit went up 3-1 in the fourth, only to see Brandon Crawford knot the game at 3-3 with a homer of his own in the top of the seventh. The Tigers answered by loading the bases in the bottom half of the frame, with Justin Upton’s two-run single to left field giving Detroit a 5-3 advantage.

Fulmer finished his day after eight innings, having allowed three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five.

Justin Wilson pitched an uneventful ninth.

Roars

The Founding Fathers -- Without them, I’m writing a soccer recap or something right now. Go U.S.A.!

Everyone who serves or who has served — Thanks for keeping our country safe!

Michael Fulmer — Eight innings pitched, three runs allowed on five hits and a walk, along with five strikeouts.

Justin Upton — Went 3-for-3 and put the Tigers up 5-3 with a two-out, two-run single to left in the seventh inning.

Victor Martinez — Homered to tie the game at 1-1 in the second inning.

Hisses

Fireworks — Look if you have a dog you understand, and if you don’t I guess you wouldn’t.

Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez — 0-for-8 combined.

Stats and stuff

• Entering the game Fulmer had a 3.11 ERA dating back to April 29, 2016, his debut, good for the fourth-best in the AL during that time.
• Hunter Pence homered in the first inning for the Giants. That was the first HR allowed by Fulmer in 74-1/3 innings, dating back to this April 29. He had the longest streak among active pitchers. Fulmer’s next attempt at the streak lasted a little more than five innings.
• Miguel Cabrera left the game with left hip tightness.
• Alex Avila hit an infield single.