Tigers catcher Jake Rogers loses control while trying to tag out Boston’s Alex Verdugo during the sixth inning Thursday in Detroit. The Red Sox spoiled the Tigers’ home opener with a 6-3 win. Carlos Osorio/Associated Press
DETROIT — Adam Duvall hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the sixth inning and the Boston Red Sox went on to beat the Detroit Tigers 6-3 on Thursday.
“He’s off to a great start,” Boston Manager Alex Cora said.
The 34-year-old Duvall, selected as the AL Player of the Week on Monday, is hitting .458 with three homers and 12 RBI through his first six games with the Red Sox. The former Sanford Mainer signed a $7 million, one-year contract in January to play for his fifth major league team.
“Duvall has been smoking hot,” Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch said.
Miguel Cabrera hit a two-out RBI single in the third inning of his final home opener to put Detroit up 3-1.
Boston, after getting swept at home by Pittsburgh, bounced back with a run in the fourth before surging into the lead with a four-run sixth.
Chris Sale (1-0) gave up four hits and three runs and three walks while striking out seven in five innings.
Sale, who gave up seven runs in his season debut, got off to a shaky start with two straight walks before striking out the next three batters.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever thrown eight straight balls in my life,” he said. “That was definitely interesting. Credit to the mound visit; I got three (strikeouts) after that.”
John Schreiber, Chris Martin, Ryan Brasier and combined to throw three innings of scoreless relief, and Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his first save with Boston.
Spencer Turnbull (0-2) allowed five runs and five hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings. Jose Cisnero gave up the three-run homer to Duvall, the first batter he faced.
Detroit catcher Jake Rogers fired up fans – bundled up on a chilly afternoon – by turning on an inside pitch and sending it 414 feet to left for a two-run homer that put Detroit up 2-0 in the second.
The Tigers, though, missed many opportunities to score more runs by leaving eight runners on base.
“We had our opportunities, especially when we didn’t get to Sale right away and then he settled in,” Hinch said.
CABRERA’S LAST CALL
Cabrera, who turns 40 this month, has announced he’s retiring after this season, and he’s trying to enjoy each moment.
“I appreciate this moment because not too many guys in baseball get a chance to say goodbye,” Cabrera said. “I’m not sad. I’m happy.”
The two-time AL MVP and Triple Crown winner joined former Detroit superstars Calvin Johnson (Lions), Nicklas Lidstrom (Red Wings) and Ben Wallace (Pistons) on the field to throw a ceremonial first pitch before the game.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: Right-hander Brayan Bello (right elbow inflammation) is expected to make a start for Triple-A Worcester after throwing 72 pitches Wednesday.
Tigers: Turnbull appeared to hurt his neck in the sixth when Enrique Hernandez hit a comebacker. He was removed from the game later in the inning.
“He said it was the equivalent of a whiplash or a stringer,” Hinch said. “It kind of subsided and he was fine.”
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