DETROIT — Javier Báez made his first home run with the Tigers a big one, crushing a go-ahead two-run homer down the left-field line in the eighth inning to send Detroit to a 3-1 win over Boston on a rainy Monday evening at Comerica Park.
It was the second go-ahead hit for Báez in four games as a Tiger, who signed him to a six-year, $140 million contract last November. Unlike Opening Day, when his ninth-inning drive to right field hit the wall for a walk-off single, his drive in the series opener vs. the Red Sox headed out with very little suspense.
Monday was a display of the all-around impact Báez can make for Detroit. His diving stop up the middle took a second-inning hit away from Christian Vázquez, helping Tigers starter Matt Manning on his way to retiring Boston’s first 12 batters. J.D. Martinez ended Manning’s perfect start with a fifth-inning leadoff solo homer, but Manning and the bullpen held it there.
Austin Meadows’ leadoff single in the eighth brought up Báez against Ryan Brasier, who challenged him with high fastballs after falling behind in the count. Báez chased a ball in the zone, then fouled off a couple of borderline pitches. Báez crushed the sixth pitch, sending a 396-foot drive to the left-field seats with a 108.6 mph exit velocity.