Cabrera's HR bounces right for Tigers in 4-3 win over Boston

BOSTON (AP) A couple of bounces worked out well for the Detroit Tigers, ending their very successful visit to Fenway Park.

Miguel Cabrera hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning that skipped off the top of the wall and into Boston's bullpen, lifting the Tigers to a 4-3 victory over the Red Sox on Wednesday for a three-game sweep.

Boston was the last major league team to be swept in a series of any length this season.

''I guess if you're a Red Sox fan, a couple bounces went our way,'' Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. ''I look at it as Miggy hit the ball 385 feet into the wind, a ball without the wind that would have gone into the bullpen with ease.''

Rookie Michael Fulmer had another solid start, giving up three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and no walks in 7 2/3 innings. He took a one-hop grounder off his pitching shoulder, but stayed in the game.

''I think we did get a little bit fortunate with the Fulmer thing,'' Ausmus said.

James McCann also hit a solo homer, and Victor Martinez had four singles, a walk and drove in two runs for Detroit, which has won five of seven in its recent climb in the AL Central.

Xander Bogaerts and Dustin Pedroia hit solo homers for the Red Sox, who lost for the fifth time in six games to complete a 4-5 homestand.

Cabrera hit his 21st homer off recently acquired closer Brad Ziegler (0-1). The right-hander was surprised the ball carried out.

''I just kind of watched it in the air, it looked like it just kept getting further and further away,'' Ziegler said. ''I was, `What in the world?' I didn't think he hit it that good.''

Bruce Rondon (4-2) got one out for the win. Justin Wilson got three outs for his first major league save because closer Francisco Rodriguez wasn't available after working the past two days.

Ausmus said afterward that Rodriguez was away from the club ''tending to a personal issue.'' He expects him back Friday.

In the seventh, Fulmer gave up a solo homer to Bogaerts leading off and was hit by Jackie Bradley Jr.'s grounder on the top of the right shoulder.

The Red Sox chased Fulmer in the eighth, tying it on Betts' RBI triple when center fielder Tyler Collins took a bad route and missed a diving attempt.

McCann made it 3-1 in the sixth, hitting a drive that caromed off a billboard above the Green Monster seats.

Before his previous two starts, the 23-year-old Fulmer had a string of eight straight when he allowed one or no runs. He mixed mostly a fastball in the mid-90s mph with a sharp sider to keep the majors' top-scoring team to one run over the first six innings.

''I'm just enjoying the big leagues right now,'' he said. ''Obviously when the season started I didn't expect to be in this position.''

Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez allowed three runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Tigers: OF J.D Martinez (broken elbow) started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday night, going 1 for 5 with an RBI. . Minor league pitcher Drew VerHagen has been shut down for the rest of the season after a setback in his recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome. He's expected to have surgery in early August.

Red Sox: Closer Craig Kimbrel had a bullpen session. Manager John Farrell said he'll have a rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Pawtucket. After that, it's uncertain if he'll be activated right away. ''It could be as few as one,'' Farrell said. ''It'll be dependent physically on how Craig feels.'' . C Ryan Hanigan was still only available on an emergency basis after being scratched Tuesday with flu-like symptoms. . 1B Hanley Ramirez had the day off.

THAT'S A STRIKE

Collins did have a nice throw, nailing Sandy Leon attempting to score on a flyball from medium-deep center to end the third.

UP NEXT

Tigers: Off Thursday before opening a three-game home series versus Houston. LHP Matt Boyd (1-2, 4.63 ERA) is set to start against Astros RHP Collin McHugh (7-6, 4.18).

Red Sox: Begin an 11-game West Coast trip Thursday, with the first of four against the Los Angeles Angels. Boston LHP David Price (9-7, 4.51) hopes to rebound from two straight mediocre starts.