Miggy extends RBI streak to five games

DETROIT -- The Tigers paid for three solo home runs off starter Kyle Ryan. Their offense came from smaller hits from Miguel Cabrera, who continued his recent tear in time for All-Star balloting to heat up in turn.

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Cabrera, fresh off another torrent of hits against Cleveland last weekend, extended his offensive hounding to Ohio's other team the last couple nights. After his two-run double helped break open the Tigers' lead Monday night, he added a first-inning RBI single Tuesday to give the Tigers an early lead in a 5-2 loss to the Reds.

It was a simple ground ball that was well-placed. Moments after Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips shifted up the middle, Cabrera hit a ground ball essentially where Phillips had been standing.

It marked the fifth consecutive game with an RBI for Cabrera, his longest streak since last May. It was also his 33rd game reaching base safely in his last 34 contests.

Cabrera also walked twice before flying out to the warning track in deep right-center field in the eighth. His 1-for-2 performance raised his batting average to .345, four points above former teammate Prince Fielder among qualified American League hitters.

Cabrera's 1.043 OPS leads the AL by 85 points over Angels outfielder and reigning AL MVP Award winner Mike Trout.