Blue Jays 5, Tigers 4: Miguel Cabrera returns with a homer, but Detroit loses anyway

After six games off serving a well-earned suspension, Miguel Cabrera came back to the lineup with a bang. Nicholas Castellanos continued to show why his bat is worth finding a place for in the lineup in the future. But Cabrera and Castellanos alone couldn’t pull the Tigers back into the game in the ninth inning, and a rally fell 90 feet short with the Blue Jays taking a 5-4 victory.

Cabrera hit a two-run bomb to left field in his first plate appearance since the suspension to give Detroit a 2-0 lead.

Making his second career start for Detroit, Chad Bell ended up giving both runs back before finishing his day at 4-2/3 innings and two runs allowed. He allowed five hits and three walks while striking out three. Warwick Saupold relieved him but soon after allowed two runs of his own, including a solo homer by Kevin Pillar, to put the Tigers in a 4-2 hole. Blaine Hardy allowed an extra run to give Detroit a three-run deficit entering the ninth.

That’s when it got a little fun. Jeimer Candelario walked, Cabrera singled, and Castellanos doubled to put the Tigers on the board in the inning without an out recorded. Then James McCann brought Cabrera home to make it 5-4 with still two outs to go. But neither JaCoby Jones nor Andrew Romine, who struck out looking to end the game, could get him home.

Roars

Miguel Cabrera — 2-for-4 in his first game back, including a home run and a single. Two runs scored.

Jeimer Candelario -- 2-for-3, including a double, plus a walk. Two runs scored.

Nicholas Castellanos — 2-for-4, including a double

Hisses

Warwick Saupold — Took the loss after allowing two runs in relief of starter Chad Bell

Andrew Romine — 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. K’d looking for the final out.

JaCoby Jones — Hit a pop up to second with the game-tying run on third base in the ninth inning. Went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts