CLEVELAND (AP) — Nick Castellanos felt the effects of a stomach ailment. Still, he couldn’t help but smile.
Castellanos had three hits, including a three-run homer, and tied his career high with five RBIs Wednesday to lead Detroit over Cleveland 12-2 Wednesday and stop the Indians’ home winning streak at 13.
Cameron Maybin hit a two-run homer and Ian Kinsler had three singles for the Tigers, who overcame a 2-0, fourth-inning deficit and beat the Indians for the first time in 12 meetings this year.
“They had all the momentum in the world coming into this game,” Castellanos said. “How many straight wins did they have against us? How many games had they won in a row at home? When we put it all together like this, I like our chances. This was a big day for our team.”
Detroit trailed 2-0 after three innings and didn’t put a runner on base until the fourth. All-Star first baseman Miguel Cabrera and Steven Moya added two RBIs apiece as Detroit salvaged the finale of the three-game set.
Rookie Michael Fulmer (9-2) allowed two runs — one earned — in six innings for the win. The right-hander is 7-1 with a 0.63 ERA in his last nine starts.
“Nick comes up big in big spots all the time,” Fulmer said. “That’s why I call him the should-have-been American League All-Star.”
Castellanos, who returned to the lineup after sitting out Tuesday with flu-like symptoms, had his second five-RBI game in the majors. He hit his career-high 16th homer in the fifth off Josh Tomlin (9-2), then doubled home two runs in the seventh off Zach McAllister.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus joked that Castellanos should get sick more often, given his performance.
“It had to be something I ate, because I just can’t keep anything down yet,” Castellanos said. “I had a turkey sandwich last night, and half of a bagel and banana today, but this game made me feel a lot better than I had been.”
Fulmer had allowed one run or none in eight consecutive starts, matching the second-longest streak in big league history behind Bob Gibson’s 11 for the 1968 St. Louis Cardinals. Fulmer slightly hurt his right ankle while covering first base in the fifth, but reported no soreness after the game.
Detroit, which scored all of its runs between the fourth and seventh innings, pulled within 6 1/2 games of first-place Cleveland in the AL Central.
“The way we came back really helped our confidence,” Kinsler said. “It was nice to finally beat them, especially in their ballpark, like this.”
NO THANKS
Cabrera was selected to his 11th All-Star Game but will not participate in the Home Run Derby in San Diego. “I got to get some rest for the other half of the season,” he said. “I’m battling with my knee and my back right now, so I got to get some rest because I’m playing in the game.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (right neck strain) underwent tests Wednesday to determine why pain is radiating toward his shoulder. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday.
Indians: C Roberto Perez (broken right thumb) is 1 for 2 with two runs through two games of his rehabilitation assignment in the Arizona Rookie League. He has been on the DL since May 1.
UP NEXT
Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander opens a four-game series Thursday in Toronto. The former AL Cy Young winner has 115 strikeouts in 111 2/3 innings this season.
Indians: RHP Trevor Bauer is to start Thursday against the visiting Yankees in the opener of a four-game series. He threw five shutout innings of relief July 1 in Toronto.
