Revived Tigers rough up Jays without Cabrera

Detroit — One down, many more to go.

The Tigers began their long stretch of games without Miguel Cabrera and the offense — and defense — didn't show ill effects of losing their best player. Cabrera was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his career after sustaining a strained left calf Friday.

Without Cabrera, the Tigers' revamped lineup stay hot, with an 8-3 win Saturday afternoon over the Blue Jays before a crowd of 37,214 at Comerica Park.

BOX SCORE: Tigers 8, Blue Jays 3

After mustering eight runs in Friday's win with Ian Kinsler leading off and Yoesnis Cespedes hitting second, the Tigers' bats perked up at the top of the order again.

"It's certainly a nice day offensively, although all things being equal, I'd rather have Miggy in the lineup," manager Brad Ausmus said. "It's just one game but the last couple games, we've looked a lot better at the plate."

Kinsler went 3-for-4, including a two-run single in the eighth and Cespedes added three hits. But J.D. Martinez had the biggest blow of the game, a two-run home run in the first inning, helping the Tigers start the holiday celebrations early.

It was the team-leading 22nd home run this season for Martinez, who has 12 home runs and 28 RBIs in his last 19 games.

Kinsler was hit by a pitch by R.A. Dickey (3-9) to begin the game, moved to third on a double by Cespedes. After Victor Martinez's grounder to first scored Kinsler, J.D. Martinez homered, making it a 3-0 lead.

"Kinsler looks good. He looks like he's feeling a lot better at the plate in the last four, before he went to the leadoff spot even," Ausmus said. "Obviously, today, he had an outstanding game."

Nick Castellanos had a two-out double and scored on a triple by James McCann.

Catcher Alex Avila, subbing for Cabrera and making his first career start at first base, had the defensive play of the game, diving into the stands to catch a foul ball in the fourth inning. He also made a nice play on a pickoff play at first, blocking the base so that Devon Travis couldn't get his hand back in before he applied the tag.

"He played first base a little bit in spring training when we were concerned as to Victor (Martinez) and/or Miggy would be ready to start the season, so I've seen him there before," Ausmus said. "It's one game; he did a nice job today, but he's not going to be there on a daily basis."

David Price (8-2) stifled the Blue Jays, going seven innings and giving up eight hits, but allowed just one run, on a home run by Kevin Pillar in the fifth inning.

"I felt good. That's a tough team; they score runs in bunches. Definitely very happy with the outcome of today," said Price, who hasn't lost a start since May 31. "There are a lot of guys in that lineup that hit me extremely well. When runners got on, we were able to make plays and limit damage and that's always big."

With the big cushion early, Price was able to remain aggressive with his pitches and to go after the Blue Jays hitters. He had at least one baserunner on in each inning but he was able to work his way out of jams, notching seven strikeouts and only one earned run.

"That's vintage David Price for you, throwing all his pitches, any time in the count, getting ahead early and letting his stuff go to work," McCann said. "That's big, especially against an offense like them, knowing that's an offense that can explode at any time, with a lot of guys who can get them going in a hurry.

"Having a lead like that is big-time. It allows you to pitch like you want to pitch and not be afraid to make a mistake here or there."

The Tigers added a run in the fourth on an RBI single by Cespedes. In the eighth, the Tigers got three more runs, with Kinsler's two-run single and Jose Iglesias scored on a wild pitch.

The offense continued to click

"It's going to be tough without him for sure. In the past, in the short stretches, we have played well without him," said Avila, who finished 1-for-3 and a walk. "With him being out an extended period of time, we have to make sure we keep it as close as possible to be able to make a run when he comes back."

The Blue Jays inched closer, after a two-run home run by Chris Colabello in the ninth, off rookie Jeff Ferrell, who was making his major-league debut.

Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com

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