Miguel Cabrera’s 3-run HR in 8th lifts Tigers to 4-3 win and sweep over slumping Pirates

Cabrera’s 3-run HR lifts Tigers over Pirates 4-3

DETROIT — Miguel Cabrera hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning, lifting the Detroit Tigers to a 4-3 win over the skidding Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

The Pirates have lost a season-high eight straight and were swept by Detroit for the first time in eight matchups.

Armando Galarraga gave up two runs in his first home start since his near-perfect game.

Brad Thomas (4-0) replaced Galarraga and got the final out in the eighth inning for the win. Jose Valverde closed it for his 13th save, but gave up a run to end his scoreless streak at 25 appearances.

Garrett Jones hit a solo homer in the second inning and an RBI double in the fourth to put Pittsburgh ahead 2-0.

Alex Avila hit a solo shot to center in the seventh to pull the Tigers within a run. Cabrera put them ahead on a homer off Octavio Dotel the next inning, handing reliever Javier Lopez (1-1) the loss.

It was another home win for the Tigers, who are 20-10 at Comerica Park and 13-19 on the road.

Pittsburgh looked as though it might finally end its skid until Carlos Guillen, who hit a leadoff home run in the 10th inning to give Detroit a 4-3 win Saturday night, singled as a pinch-hitter to open the eighth inning and chase starter Jeff Karstens.

Guillen and Johnny Damon, who drew a two-out walk against Lopez, were on base when Cabrera sent an outside pitch to the opposite field and cleared the right-center fence.

Karstens was charged with two runs on six hits and a walk in seven-plus innings.

NOTES: Detroit rookie OF Austin Jackson left after a half-inning because of back spasms. … Magglio Ordonez (strained oblique) was held out of the lineup again, but said he will play Tuesday when Detroit hosts the Washington Nationals. … Pirates RHP Charlie Morton (shoulder) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis. … The Tigers honored former 2B Jake Wood with their second annual African American Legacy Award before the game. Wood was the first African-American player to come through the Detroit farm system and play for the Tigers, making his debut in 1961.