Jul 22, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos (9) celebrates with second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) and right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) after hitting a grand slam in the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park. Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
DETROIT — Nick Castellanos’ grand slam highlighted an eight-run, third-inning outburst and the Detroit Tigers overcame two Nelson Cruz home runs in a 9-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night at Comerica Park.
Castellanos’ eighth home run of the season helped Anibal Sanchez (10-7) win his seventh consecutive decision. Sanchez allowed four runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out six. Joakim Soria got the last four outs for his 22nd save.
Second baseman Ian Kinsler contributed four hits, including two during the highest scoring inning of the season for Detroit (47-47). He scored twice and knocked in a run.
Cruz, Seattle’s right fielder, added a double and drove in three runs.
Starter Mike Montgomery (4-4) was charged with eight runs (six earned) and six hits while walking five in 2 2/3 innings as the Mariners dropped to 43-52.
The Tigers had not scored more than six runs in any inning this season until they sent 12 men to the plate in the third and took an 8-0 lead. The inning featured Castellanos’ first career grand slam and two errors by Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager.
Seager’s first miscue, a throwing error on a bunt single by Kinsler, allowed Tigers center fielder Rajai Davis to score from first base for the game’s first run. Castellanos came up four batters later and drilled a 2-0 pitch from Montgomery well over the left center-field wall. The blast traveled an estimated 448 feet, making it the longest home run of his career.
Detroit scored three two-out runs before the inning was over. Shortstop Jose Iglesias’ double made it 6-0 and Seager’s second error, when he failed to catch a Davis liner, allowed Iglesias to score. Montgomery was then pulled, but reliever David Rollins promptly gave up an RBI double to Kinsler.
Seattle got three runs back in the fourth, two on Cruz’s 23rd home run of the season. First baseman Mark Trumbo drove in the other run.
NOTES: Mariners 2B Robinson Cano batted cleanup for the third straight game. He had five hits in his first two games at that spot and has a .332 career average batting fourth. “I see him staying there for a while,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. … Seattle RF Nelson Cruz leads the majors with 18 road home runs. … Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera will join the team on its upcoming 10-game road trip to continue treatment, manager Brad Ausmus said. Cabrera is on the 15-day disabled list with a severe left calf strain and isn’t expected to return until mid-August. … Ausmus is considering moving RHP Alex Wilson, who has a 1.99 ERA, into the rotation. RHPs Shane Greene and Alfredo Simon have allowed 32 earned runs each in their last six starts. … The teams close out the four-game series on Thursday afternoon with Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma opposing Detroit ace LHP David Price.
