Pirates 4, Tigers 1
Andrew McCutchen stayed hot with a three-run homer as the Pirates won for the 12th time in 14 home games.
McCutchen turned on a 96-mph fastball from Max Scherzer (6-5) in the fourth. His 13th homer scored Alex Presley, who had doubled, and Jose Tabata, who was hit by a pitch. McCutchen is on a 15-for-28 tear as Pittsburgh has won six of seven.
Brad Lincoln, who had not survived five innings in his previous three starts, allowed one run on two hits over six-plus innings to improve to 4-2. Joel Hanrahan earned his 19th save in 21 chances with a scoreless ninth.
Lincoln was lifted after giving up a leadoff homer to Miguel Cabrera in the seventh. Cabrera’s 15th homer ended his 0-for-14 skid and extended Detroit’s club-record streak of not being shut out to 139 games.
But Detroit has scored just five runs over its past four games, going 1-3.
Neil Walker had an RBI single for the Pirates, who remained one game behind Cincinnati in the NL Central.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Scherzer entered as the AL leader in strikeouts per nine innings (11.49); he fanned seven over six innings. … Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder went 2-for-4 with his 16th double. ... Pittsburgh won despite having two runners caught stealing.