DETROIT -- Moments after thunder rumbled at Comerica Park, Miguel Cabrera brought some thunder of his own with a three-run home run to right field to give the Tigers a 6-3 lead over the Indians.
It turned out to be the game-winning home run, as the game entered its second rain delay minutes later, ultimately getting called off after a stoppage of one hour and 12 minutes.
Though it appeared to be an important moment in the game with a large patch of heavy rain heading toward the ballpark, Cabrera said he couldn't allow himself to think of it as a moment of finality.
"I just tried to make something happen," Cabrera said. "Don't have to worry about the rain because you can't control the weather. Go out there and do your job."
With the rain quickly approaching, manager Brad Ausmus said it was nice to get the cushion, but he didn't think it was necessarily the final blow because weather can be so unpredictable.
"We knew the rain was there, it was a matter of when it showed up," he said. "But we've also been here in this stadium when there's rain coming and it never shows up, so it was kind of keeping your fingers crossed that the weather forecast was right and that you have the lead when the rain hits."
The home run was Cabrera's 306th as a Tiger, tying him with Hank Greenberg for the third most in franchise history. Cabrera was happy to inch closer to Al Kaline's Tigers record of 399, but he is more focused on making it to the playoffs.
"I mean, great, but I've still got to go out there and play [Thursday]," Cabrera said. "So right now, I have to go get some rest and try to be ready to play."
Cabrera is hitting .400 with 14 RBIs and three home runs over his last 11 games to help the Tigers stay in the playoff hunt. Teammate Ian Kinsler knows the Tigers can depend on Cabrera to step up when they need him most.
"He's swinging the bat really well right now, and at the right time," Kinsler said. "That's a guy that's going to come up with big hits when you need them and it's nice to see him swinging the bat well. Everybody wants to see him at the plate in those situations, and it seems like he comes through most of the time."
Not only did the homer help the Tigers keep one game back of the Orioles, who hold the second American League Wild Card spot, it helped bail out starter Michael Fulmer, who had allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings. Fulmer was not surprised by Cabrera's blast.
"He is who he is. He's Miggy," Fulmer said. "He's the best hitter on the planet and I'm just really glad I'm teammates with him rather than facing him."