The win pushed the Tigers past the Red Sox for sole possession of the second American League Wild Card spot. Detroit remained two games behind first-place Cleveland in the AL Central race.
One night after Justin Verlander and Noah Syndergaard dueled in the series opener, the Tigers opened a big lead in the fourth inning off Mets starter Logan Verrett (3-7). A Victor Martinez double, J.D. Martinez single and Nick Castellanos hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for Saltalamacchia, who lined a base hit into right field. Three consecutive two-out singles from the top of the order, capped by Cabrera's line drive to right, built a 6-1 lead.