Orioles 9, Tigers 3
DETROIT -- Jonathan Schoop's three-run homer highlighted a six-run fourth and the Baltimore Orioles rolled to a 9-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park.
The home run was the second baseman's sixth this season and third since coming off the 15-day disabled list on July 5. Center fielder Adam Jones pounded out three hits, including a solo home run, as every Baltimore starter had at least one hit.
Miguel Gonzalez (8-6) lasted five innings, allowing two runs on six hits, to collect the victory as the Orioles (46-45) took two of three games in the series.
The Tigers (45-46) dropped below .500 for the first time since they were 1-2 in 2013. They have not had a losing record this late in the season since they were 80-81 in 2010.
Detroit starter Justin Verlander (0-3) was shelled for seven runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings. Shortstop Jose Iglesias had four hits and scored all three Tigers runs.
Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler was ejected in the third inning by home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez. Kinsler twice slammed his bat in frustration heading to first base after flying out. He became upset when Gonzalez called a strike on the previous pitch, which appeared to be low, with the count 2-0.
Kinsler's replacement in the batting order, third baseman Nick Castellanos, exited the game in the fifth with a left cheekbone contusion after he was struck by Jones' one-hop single.
Jones' two-out homer in the first gave Baltimore an early advantage. Detroit tied it in the third on center fielder Anthony Gose's single but the Orioles took command the next inning.
They loaded the bases with three consecutive singles. With one out, shortstop J.J. Hardy lined a 3-2 fastball to the opposite field for a double, knocking in two runs. Right fielder Chris Davis was thrown out at the plate on the play. Following a walk, Schoop ripped another Verlander fastball over the left field wall to make it 6-1.
Third baseman Manny Machado's RBI single two batters later knocked out Verlander.
Detroit left fielder Yoenis Cespedes had a run-scoring single in the fifth. Orioles first baseman Chris Parmalee smacked a two-run single in the eighth for a 9-2 lead.
NOTES: The predominantly right-handed Tigers had five left-handed hitters or switch hitters in the lineup. "This is as many lefties as we've had in the lineup since I've been here," second-year manager Brad Ausmus said. ... Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera, who still leads the majors with a .350 batting average, has been in the clubhouse this weekend but isn't close to returning. He suffered a severe left calf strain and was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 4. ... Baltimore's Chris Davis started in right field in all three games of the series. He has played first base most of his career. "He's as good a right fielder as he is a first baseman," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. ... Baltimore's one-hitter against Detroit on Saturday night was its first against the Tigers since Sept. 18, 1988, at Tiger Stadium. ... The teams will play a four-game series in Baltimore from July 30-Aug. 2.