SEATTLE — Jefry Marte got an RBI double for his first major league hit, then added a solo home run Wednesday that sent the Detroit Tigers over the Seattle Mariners 5-4.
Marte made his big league debut last Sunday and had struck out in his only at-bat. The 24-year-old played first base while the Tigers are minus injured Miguel Cabrera.
Making his first start, Marte doubled during a three-run second and scored later in the inning.
Marte homered in the fourth against J.A. Happ (4-6) to make it 4-2.
Nick Castellanos hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh that broke a 4-4 tie.
Anibal Sanchez (8-7) got the win. Joakim Soria put two runners on base in the ninth but finished for his 19th save in 21 opportunities.
Dustin Ackley hit a two-run homer in the fourth that made it 4-all.
The two teams combined for 14 home runs in the three-game series at Safeco Field, tying the ballpark. Detroit connected nine times.
The Tigers took the lead in the seventh when Yoenis Cespedes and Victor Martinez singled and J.D. Martinez was hit by a pitch, loading the bases.
Castellanos hit a flyball to center field, and Ackley threw out Victor Martinez at third base as the go-ahead run scored.
Mark Trumbo had three of the Mariners’ six hits and scored twice.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: Cabrera (strained left calf) has not even begun to work the leg. He’s primarily trying to keep the swelling down with ice. He has a six-week timetable for his return.
Mariners: CF Austin Jackson left the game in the fourth inning with back spasms. He is day to day.
UP NEXT
Tigers: LHP David Price (8-2, 2.54) has won his past four decisions, two with complete games. He’s on the road against Minnesota, a team he has beaten twice already this season. Price has the third-best road ERA in the league (1.86). He’ll be opposed by RHP Mike Pelfrey (5-5, 3.94).
Mariners: RHP Felix Hernandez (10-5, 3.02) has lost his past two decisions after becoming the first AL 10-game winner on June 17. Hernandez will make his 44th career start against the Angels with so-so results, 13-13 with a 3.34 ERA. Over his last nine starts against LA, however, he is 5-0 with an 0.93 ERA. He matches up RHP Garrett Richards (9-5, 3.35) in Seattle.
