Cabrera homers twice to lift Tigers over Phillies 5-4

DETROIT (AP) Miguel Cabrera is in another one of his slugging grooves, and that's a big reason the Detroit Tigers have rebounded nicely from an awful stretch earlier this month.

Cabrera hit two of Detroit's four solo homers, then scored a tiebreaking run on Victor Martinez's seventh-inning single to lift the Tigers to a 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night. Detroit dropped 11 of 12 from May 3-14, but since then, the Tigers have won seven of eight.

''Miggy looks as good as I've seen him since I've been here,'' said Brad Ausmus, who has been Detroit's manager since 2014.

Cabrera, who is 6 for 6 over his last two games, doubled with one out in the seventh. After moving to third on a wild pitch, he scored on Martinez's hit off Colton Murray (0-1).

J.D. Martinez and Nick Castellanos also homered for Detroit, while Maikel Franco and Tommy Joseph hit solo shots for the Phillies.

Justin Wilson (1-1) got the win in relief, and Francisco Rodriguez struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 13th save in 14 chances.

The Phillies fell to 14-4 in one-run games this season.

Philadelphia's Odubel Herrera had three hits but was taken out of the game in the seventh after manager Pete Mackanin was displeased with his effort after hitting a grounder to the pitcher.

''He didn't run. One of the ingredients to our success to this point is the fact that these guys play with energy, they play hard, and we're training them to play the game the right way,'' Mackanin said. ''Not running is not the right way.''

Cabrera has five homers in his last four games. His first solo shot Monday tied the game at 1 in the third, but Franco homered the following inning, and the Phillies took a 3-1 lead on Cesar Hernandez's sacrifice fly in the fifth.

J.D. Martinez and Cabrera opened the bottom of the fifth with consecutive homers, chasing Philadelphia starter Vincent Velasquez. Castellanos' home run came later that inning off Murray.

Joseph tied it at 4 with his sixth-inning homer, and Detroit starter Mike Pelfrey was forced to settle for his fifth straight no-decision after opening the season with four consecutive losses.

Pelfrey allowed four runs and 11 hits in six innings. Velasquez yielded three runs and nine hits in four-plus innings.

The Tigers left the bases loaded in the first and failed to score in the fourth after having men on second and third with nobody out.

SHARED

Cabrera and teammate Cameron Maybin were named American League co-players of the week before the game. Cabrera hit only .270 in April, but his impressive May has brought his average up to .327 with 11 home runs.

''That just shows that this game can be crazy and frustrating at times,'' Victor Martinez said. ''He's allowed to struggle once in a while.''

TOUGH START

Velasquez had allowed only three home runs all season before giving up three Monday.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Tigers: Detroit OF Justin Upton missed the game because of right quadriceps tightness. Ausmus said it was nothing major. ... Cabrera was back in the lineup after leaving Sunday's game with a bruised knee. ... Detroit RHP Jordan Zimmermann is expected to miss at least his next start with a strained groin.

UP NEXT

Phillies: Jeremy Hellickson (4-2) takes the mound Tuesday night against the Tigers. He's won his last two starts.

Tigers: Justin Verlander (3-4) pitches for Detroit. He's allowed only four runs over his last three outings.

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Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister