MLB Player News

Indians top hitter Michael Brantley couldn't produce with runners in scoring position in a defeat of St. Louis on Wednesday, but he came through with the bases empty Thursday.

Brantley broke a scoreless tie to lead off the sixth by blasting one off Michael Wacha over the right-field fence. He now has four home runs and a fine slash line of .330/.403/.528.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera had quite an afternoon on Thursday against the Twins. Cabrera went 3 for 5 with two, two-run home runs and drove in a season-high five runs.

This was his third multi-home run game of the season so far. He hit his eighth home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, and his ninth came two innings later. The big performance lifted Cabrera's season batting average to .328.

Brad Miller is trying to adjust to life after shortstop for the Mariners. Miller, who has been transitioning from shortstop the outfield in recent weeks, slugged his second home run of the season on Wednesday as the team's designated hitter.

Miller was taking fly balls in left field prior to Wednesday's game against the Padres. But the 25-year-old is trying to get comfortable learning a new position.

"It's definitely different," Miller said Wednesday, per MLB.com. "But the main thing is, you've got to show up for work every day and bust your tail. So that's just meant keeping my head down and getting my work in and helping us any way I can."

And despite his .188 batting average over his last 10 games, manager Lloyd McClendon has liked what he has seen from the youngster.

"He's done a nice job," said McClendon. "He's swung the bat pretty decent. He's part of the reason we had a four-game winning streak. I've been pleased with him in that spot."

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez, who left Wednesday with a back injury, returned to the starting lineup, but as a designated hitter Thursday afternoon against the Twins. Yoenis Cespedes will play left field, with Rajai Davis in right and Anthony Gose in center.

Martinez is hitting .236 (29 for 123) with seven homers and 16 RBI in 33 games.

Detroit is favored (-157) at home against Minnesota, per VegasInsider.com.

Mariners designated hitter Brad Miller went 2 for 4 with a walk, a double, a home run and two RBI in his team's 4-2 loss to the Padres Wednesday.

Miller wouldn't be denied Wednesday, smacking a solo home run in the fifth inning to cut his team's deficit to 2-1 and adding an RBI double in the ninth to make the game 4-2. However, the rest of the team was unable to find any scoring magic, leaving the Mariners with the loss.

Miller has hit .250/.318/.427 with two home runs, 11 RBI and three stolen bases in 96 at-bats, but he's 4 for 7 with three doubles and one home run in a pair of games against the Padres.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez left Wednesday's game against the Twins with an injury, according to MLB.com. 

Martinez was spotted grabbing his back in the dugout. Rajai Davis pinch-hit for Martinez in the sixth inning. 

The Twins gave slugger Kennys Vargas the night off Wednesday night against the Tigers, per MLB.com.

With Vargas out of the lineup for the second time since Sunday, the club moved Eddie Rosario to left field, Aaron Hicks to center and moved Eduardo Escobar to designated hitter.

Minnesota is considered an underdog (+121) against left-hander Kyle Lobstein and the Tigers. The current Twins roster is hitting .348 (8 for 23) against the Southpaw.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez hit his seventh home run of the season in Tuesday night's 2-1 win over the Twins. 

Martinez hit his homer in the fourth inning off of Kyle Gibson. Martinez went 1 for 4 of the night and struck out once. This is Martinez's third consecutive game with a hit. 

Martinez is now hitting .235/.331/.294 this season. 

Indians center fielder Michael Brantley went 2 for 4 in Tuesday's loss to St. Louis. He doubled, walked once, scored and drove in a run. 

Brantley is now hitting .347, and is carrying an 11-game hit streak. He hit his ninth double and drove in his 17th run. 

Mariners shorstop Chris Taylor is back in the starting lineup on Tuesday after missing Monday's game with a finger injury, the team announced.

Taylor will replace Brad Miller, who moves to designated hitter and pushes Rickie Weeks to the bench. Taylor is hitting .167 in 18 at-bats this season.

The Mariners are currently the favorites (-145) against San Diego.