Tigers 12, Yankees 4
NEW YORK -- Right fielder J.D. Martinez hit three home runs as the Detroit Tigers roughed up Masahiro Tanaka and snapped a four-game losing streak with an 12-4 rout of the New York Yankees on Sunday.
Martinez hit his first home run during Detroit's four-run first when he drove a 0-1 fastball from Tanaka (4-3) to the loading dock over the left-center field wall. His second home run opened the fifth when he sent a first pitch curveball over the center field wall adjacent to Monument Park and that gave him his first career two-homer game.
Martinez became the first Tiger to get three home runs in a game since first baseman Miguel Cabrera on May 19, 2013, when he hit a 1-1 fastball from rookie reliever Danny Burawa into the first row of the second deck in right field with one out in the sixth.
Martinez also recorded the 23rd game with three home runs in Detroit history. It was Detroit's first three home run game against the Yankees since Pat Mullin on June 26, 1949 in New York.
Designated hitter Victor Martinez also homered and drove in four runs. In his third game off the disabled list, he hit a two-run home run with two outs in the first and added a two-run single in the second.
Third baseman Andrew Romine also homered for Detroit, which hit five home runs for the first time since Sept. 1, 2014.
Right-hander Anibal Sanchez (6-7) won his third straight start, allowing three runs and seven hits in seven innings.
In his fourth start since being activated, Tanaka matched a career high by allowing seven runs (five earned) and 10 hits in five innings.
Catcher Brian McCann hit New York's first solo home run and second baseman Stephen Drew two solo home runs for the Yankees, who lost for the second time in their last 13 home games.
After holding a brief team meeting following Saturday's 14-3 loss, the Tigers took a 2-0 lead when Victor Martinez homered into the second deck. Following an error by shortstop Didi Gregorius, J.D. Martinez hit his first home run.
Victor Martinez made it 6-0 with a two-run single in the second. After the Yankees scored twice in the second on McCann's home run and third baseman Brendan Ryan's single, J.D. Martinez made it 7-2 with his second home run.
After an RBI single by Cespedes, Martinez hit his third home run. While rounding the bases, he nearly passed Cespedes.
Detroit scored its final run on Romine's first home run of the season.
NOTES: The Yankees made four roster moves before the game, recalling RHP Danny Burawa and OF Ramon Flores from Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre, optioning RHP Bryan Mitchell there and placing rooking OF Mason Williams on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. ... The Yankees also said that RHP Sergio Santos would undergo Tommy John surgery at some point this week. ... Detroit IF Nick Castellanos was given his second straight day off from the starting lineup. Castellanos is batting .183 (9-for-49) this month .217 overall. ... Detroit RHP Anibal Sanchez made his major league debut nearly nine years ago, pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings at Yankee Stadium for the Florida Marlins then managed by Joe Girardi.