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Powerful Tigers take early lead over Cardinals

LAKELAND, Fla. • The Tigers have hit more home runs than any other team this spring. Their power surge didn't stop Thursday at home-run-friendly Joker Marchant Stadium.

Starter Carlos Martinez surrendered two runs on four hits, one of which was solo homer to first baseman Miguel Cabrera, in his 2 2/3 innings of work.

Then reliever Seung Hwan Oh, who replaced Martinez, surrendered a solo shot to right fielder Nate Schierholtz in the fourth. It was the Tigers' 34th homer of spring training.

The Cardinals trail 3-0 at the top of the fifth.

More damage might have come in the bottom of the fourth had novice first baseman Matt Holliday not smothered a Justin Upton grounder, a play that earned Holliday compliments from teammates.