San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
MILESTONE MIGGY: TIGER HITS 3,000TH
Tigers star Miguel Cabrera delivered the 3,000th hit of his decorated career Saturday, becoming the 33rd major leaguer to reach the mark and the first player from Venezuela to accomplish the feat.
Still an imposing presence at 39, Cabrera made history by grounding an opposite-field single to right through the shift in the first inning of Detroit’s game against Colorado.
Cabrera immediately raised his right arm as he headed toward first base. The crowd of 37,566 at Comerica Park gave him a rousing ovation and chanted
“Miggy!
Miggy!” while fireworks were shot off from beyond the center field fence.
“I was like, ‘Get it done today,’ ” Cabrera said.
The milestone hit came on a 1-1 pitch from Antonio Senzatela, a fellow Venezuelan, in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. Rockies shortstop Jose Iglesias, who played with Cabrera on the Tigers, came over to give his former teammate a big hug.
By then, all the Tigers were streaming from the dugout to greet the newest member of baseball’s elite 3,000-hit club. Moments later, Cabrera went behind home plate to embrace his mother, wife, son and daughter on the field.
“I’m happy I hit it here. I’m happy for the people of Detroit to see it. Hopefully I can get more hits here,” Cabrera said.
Cabrera soon returned to first base, but he didn’t stay there for long. He scored on a three-run homer by 22year-old rookie Spencer Torkelson, who is touted as the next big thing in Detroit and has taken over as the Tigers’ regular first baseman with Cabrera now in the role of designated hitter.
When the inning ended, the scoreboard flashed “Congratulations Miggy.” Cabrera emerged from the dugout for a curtain call, waving to fans who had been rewarded with the highlight they came to see.
Cabrera, however, wasn’t quite done. He added a tworun single in the sixth, exited for a pinch-runner and drew another huge cheer. The Tigers went on to win 13-0.
Cabrera kept moving up the chart with a bloop single for No. 3,002 in the first inning of the nightcap against the Rockies.
A two-time AL MVP, a Triple Crown winner and an 11-time All-star with four batting titles, Cabrera helped the Florida Marlins win the 2003 World Series championship as a 20-yearold rookie.
Nine not enough for no-no
The Rays didn’t lose the game against the Red Sox, but they did lose their bid for a combined no-hitter in the top half of the 10th inning.
Before Kevin Kiermaier ended the 3-2 win over the Red Sox with a game-ending homer, the Rays made it through nine innings with a no-hitter. But Major League Baseball rules say it doesn’t count as a no-hitter until the game ends and a team finishes with no hits.
Rays reliever Matt Wisler surrendered Boston’s first hit when
Bobby Dalbec opened the 10th with a triple, driving in automatic runner Jackie Bradley Jr. for a 1-0 lead. Christian Vazquez followed with a sacrifice fly to left.
“This is about as good a pitchers’ duel as you can get, each team using six or seven arms,” Kiermaier said. “But this is 2022 for you. Nothing is normal anymore.”
J.P. Feyereisen pitched two perfect innings as Tampa Bay’s opener, striking out two. Javy Guerra then got two outs before
Jeffrey Springs pitched two innings. Jason Adam got four outs, Ryan Thompson pitched the seventh and Andrew Kittredge worked the eighth and ninth.
Notable
Astros second baseman
Jose Altuve (strained left hamstring) took ground balls on the field and said afterward that he was feeling good.
Altuve, who was placed on the injured list Tuesday, said he hasn’t hit since he was injured and isn’t sure of his next steps.
Orioles left-hander
John Means needs Tommy John surgery, ending the season for Baltimore’s opening-day starter. An All-star in 2019, Means was 0-0 in two starts this season, giving up three runs in eight innings.
Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez took batting practice but missed a third straight game with left abductor tightness.
Also, two days after testing positive for COVID-19, Red Sox manager Alex Cora remained in Boston with mild symptoms, according to bench coach Will Venable, who is serving as manager.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez was carted off after injuring his right hamstring in the second inning in Minnesota. Jimenez stretched for first base while running out a ground ball to third and stumbled after the play.