Tigers Sweep Mets, Cabrera Hits 42nd Homer; Giants' Ryan Vogelsong Humbles Pirates, 4-0

Players of the Day for Sunday, August 25, 2013

American League

Miguel Cabrera

If it wasn't for Baltimore's Chris Davis, Miguel Cabrera would be cruising toward his second straight triple crown, unprecedented in major league baseball history.

He may do it despite the outstanding season Davis is having.

The Tigers completed their three-game sweep of the Mets, thumping their hosts, 11-3, banging out 18 hits against six sore-armed Mets' hurlers. Cabrera has three of those hits, including his 42nd home run of the season, a first-inning, two-run job, and added a pair of singles in a 3-for-4 effort.

Detroit has the best record in the league, which, if they continue to hold that distinction through the end of the season, would give them home field advantage for the duration of the playoffs. Meanwhile, Cabrera leads the league with a .360 average, 128 RBI and is second to Davis with 42 home runs. Davis has 46.

The Tigers lead the Indians by six games in the Central division, and return to Detroit Monday to open a seven game home stand - four against the A's, beginning Monday at 7:08 pm, followed by three games with Cleveland, which will be the final regular season meeting of the Central's two top teams.

National League

Ryan Vogelsong

With St. Louis losing the finale of their series against Atlanta, 5-2, the Pittsburgh Pirates had the opportunity to break their first-place tie with the Cardinals in the Central division, but found Ryan Vogelsong and the San Francisco Giants too good on Sunday.

Vogelsong (3-4) allowed just two hits over eight innings as the Giants downed the Pirates, 5-2, whiffing five while issuing one walk. The Giants scored a run in the third and three more in the eighth inning, all off Pittsburgh starter, A.J. Burnett.

Lifted for a reliever after eight innings, the outing for Vogelsong was his best since returning from the DL in early August, resulting in his first win in four starts. He had been sidelined since late May.

The Giants and Pirates split the series, two games apiece. San Francisco is completely out of the playoff picture, but the Pirates return to Pittsburgh for a six-game home stand, with three each against Milwaukee - starting Tuesday at 7:05 pm - and St. Louis, coming in on Friday.

Today's Trivia: Again in 1968, McLain won the AL Cy Young award. In the National League, which pitcher was 26-9, threw 30 complete games, led the league in innings pitched and did NOT win the NL Cy Young award? (answer tomorrow)

Yesterday's Answer: Philadelphia's Steve Carlton had 27 wins in 1972; as did Oakland's Bob Welch in 1990.