J.D. Martinez blasts homer
Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez blasted a solo home run on the first pitch in the bottom of the fifth to trim the Pirates’ lead to 7-2.
Both of the Tigers’ runs today off left-handed starter Jonathon Niese have been solo homers. Nick Castellanos went deep in the second inning.
Martinez had 38 homers last season.
The Pirates have scored in each inning and chased Justin Verlander, who lasted 4 1/3 innings, giving up seven earned runs on 10 hits.
Tigers catcher James McCann appeared to roll his ankle on the first-base bag during a fifth-inning groundout.