Tigers’ Santiago homers twice

Associated Press

DETROIT

The bottom of Detroit’s lineup has been maligned for a lack of production.

It couldn’t be Friday night.

Ninth-hitter Ramon Santiago had a two-run homer and the bottom third of the order combined to drive in five runs, helping the Tigers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2.

“That’s why we won the game,” Detroit manager Jim Leyland said.

Brandon Inge and Alex Avila, two weak-hitting Tigers, each had three hits and combined to drive in three runs.

“It’s good to see,” said Inge, who has a seven-game hitting streak. “You can’t rely on a couple guys all year.”

Detroit has been leaning on Miguel Cabrera, who was 0 for 4 against Pittsburgh, and Magglio Ordonez, who missed a fourth straight game because of an oblique strain that the team doesn’t think is a serious injury.

Brennan Boesch hit a solo shot in a three-run fourth inning, giving the rookie four homers in seven games and eight this season.

“When he hits it, it’s a loud sound,” Leyland said.

Justin Verlander can create a pop with his fastballs, too, but many of them were not thrown for strikes against the Pirates.

Verlander (7-4) got away with it, though, giving up just two runs on four hits while matching a season high with four walks in seven-plus innings.

“My fastball was horrible,” Verlander said, crediting stellar defense behind him.

Center fielder Austin Jackson led the way defensively, making a pair of back-to-the-plate, underhanded catches that are starting to look routine.