Niko Goodrum’s two-run homer lifts Tigers over Phillies 3-1

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miguel Cabrera had an RBI single and Niko Goodrum added a two-run homer to lift the Detroit Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.

Spencer Turnbull pitched six strong innings as the Tigers snapped a four-game losing streak while rebounding from Sunday’s 4-1 loss at the White Sox in which they tied a major-league record for a nine-inning game with 20 strikeouts.

Cabrera moved into a tie for 68th all-time with 2,705 career hits. He matched Doc Cramer with a third-inning base hit to left to help the Tigers win the interleague game. It was the Tigers’ first meeting with the Phillies since 2016 and their first trip to Philadelphia since 2007.

The NL East-leading Phillies managed just four hits while falling to 11-6 at home.

Turnbull (2-2) was a late replacement for scheduled starter Tyson Ross, who was placed on the paternity list. The rookie allowed one run and three hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Shane Greene pitched a scoreless ninth for his 12th save in as many chances.

Vince Velasquez (1-1) needed 99 pitches to get through 3 2/3 innings before being lifted. Velasquez, who entered with a 1.99 ERA, gave up three runs and six hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.

The right-hander’s night — and the Phillies’ — took a turn for the worse in the third when first baseman Rhys Hoskins lost Nicholas Castellanos’ harmless pop fly in the lights resulting in an unlikely double. What should’ve been the second out with nobody on base turned into a three-run inning for the Tigers with Velasquez needing 28 pitches to get through the inning.

Cabrera singled home Castellanos and Goodrum followed by sending Velasquez’s 2-2, 94-mph four-seam fastball into the seats in right to give Detroit a 3-1 lead.

That was plenty of support for Turnbull, who overcame some wildness to earn his second career victory. The 26-year-old right-hander had three wild pitches and hit a pair of batters.

The Phillies got their only run in the first without a base hit out of the infield. Andrew McCutchen led off with an infield single that likely would’ve been an out had second baseman Ronny Rodriguez not been shifted up the middle.

McCutchen went to second on a wild pitch, third on Bryce Harper’s groundout to first and scored on Rhys Hoskins’ single to deep short.

Detroit improved to 12-7 against the Phillies.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: Jordy Mercer, out since April 13 with a right quad strain, started at shortstop. … 2B Josh Harrison was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to April 27 with a bruised left shoulder. He is hitting .156 with a homer and seven RBIs in 22 games.

Phillies: Nick Williams took a fastball off his left knee in the fourth inning but stayed in the game. J.T. Realmuto also was hit by a Turnbull pitch but wasn’t hurt.

UP NEXT

Tigers LHP Daniel Norris (1-0, 3.93) faces Philadelphia RHP Aaron Nola (2-0, 5.68) in the final matchup of the two-game set on Wednesday night.