Cabrera becomes seventh player to reach 3,000 hits, 500 homers
DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera needed only one at-bat Saturday to deliver his longawaited 3,000th career hit, quickly reaching the mark as the Tigers routed the Rockies 13-0 in the opener of a daynight doubleheader Saturday.
Cabrera became the 33rd player in major league history and first Venezuelan-born player to reach the 3,000-hit mark when he grounded a firstinning single into right field. The hit came against fellow Venezuelan Antonio Senzatela and set off rousing cheers and chants at Comerica Park.
“I think I’m still dreaming,” Cabrera said. “To be able to see 3,000 up there, pretty special.”
Cabrera added a basesloaded, two-run single in the sixth, then was pulled for a pinch runner and drew another huge ovation.
The 39-year-old Cabrera became just the seventh player with 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. He joined an exclusive club that also includes Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Rafael Palmeiro, Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez.
After getting his 2,999th career hit on Wednesday, Cabrera went 0 for 3 on Thursday. The Rockies-Tigers game scheduled for Friday night was rained out, putting history on hold for another day.
Cabrera fouled off the first pitch he saw Saturday and took a ball from Senzatela before his milestone swing.
He raised his right arm while heading to first base as right fielder Randal Grichuk retrieved the ball. The Comerica Park crowd of 37,566 roared and Rockies shortstop Jose Iglesias, who played with Cabrera on the Tigers, raced over to give his former teammate a big hug.
His current teammates then came streaming from the dugout to congratulate him before he went behind home plate to embrace his mother, wife, son and daughter on the field.