Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
If there were a higher league than MLB with bigger parks and pitchers who threw 105 mph consistently, Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder would belong in it.
The Detroit Tigers‘ duo put on a clinic Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, combining to go 6-for-7 with three home runs and five RBI. The Tigers walked away with a 6-3 win in the series opener behind three of their studs.
Cabrera pulled two no-doubters to left field in his first two at-bats of the game. Fielder’s home run, however, is the one that folks will be talking about. Tropicana Field simply couldn’t contain his two-run shot.
Fielder appeared to be sitting on a curveball, which is precisely what he got. He put a charge into it and pounded it off the rafters. The ball appeared to still be on its way up when it made contact so no one knows how far it could have gone.
The bats weren’t the only thing to impress Friday. The Tigers pitching staff combined for 14 strikeouts and is currently on pace to set a major league record in that category.
Max Scherzer continued his sensational start to 2013 by holding the Rays to four hits in seven innings while racking up nine strikeouts. He improved to 12-0 and is solidifying the “ace” status for the Tigers this season. He has been absurdly consistent this season, going at least six innings in every start since his first one of the season. He now has 12 quality starts in 16 tries and has been lights out nearly every time he takes the mound. His 0.88 WHIP is tied with Matt Harvey for tops in the majors.
It was a great way to kick off an 11-game road trip after being swept at home at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels.
David Fouty is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davefouty, “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google+.
