Cabrera 9 hits in row, Schoop, Tigers win; Rays' Franco hurt

DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera got his ninth straight hit before the string ended, Jonathan Schoop launched a grand slam and the Detroit Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 10-4 Friday night.

Rays rookie shortstop Wander Franco extended his on-base streak to 39 games, then left in the first inning with tightness in his right hamstring.

“We'll know more, but hopefully we caught it early enough,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “I'm sure he'll miss some time, but we're hoping it isn't as bad as it could be.”

The 20-year-old Franco, who came up limping on Nelson Cruz's double in the first inning, has the second longest on-base run in major league history for a player before his 21st birthday — Frank Robinson set the record of 43 in 1956.

“I felt it when I pushed off second for third base. That's a play where I normally score,” he said through a translator. “I had trouble with my hamstring in spring training (in 2019) and it was OK, so I hope I don't go on the (injured list)."

The Tigers scored twice in the sixth, four times in the seventh and three more in the eighth to beat the team with the best record in the AL.

Cabrera singled in his first two at-bats, giving him a career total of 2,973 and making him the first Tigers player to get nine straight hits since Walt Dropo’s major league record 12 straight in July 1952.

“It seems like that would be impossible, especially as good as pitching and defense are these days," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “Miggy's not legging out any infield singles, either. He's just swinging the bat extremely well.”

Cabrera was the first big leaguer aged 38 or older to get nine straight hits since Tigers Hall of Famer Ty Cobb did it in 1925, the Elias Sports Bureau said.

“It's amazing to be out there and watch him every day,” said Akil Baddoo, who...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Cabrera-9-hits-in-row-Schoop-Tigers-win-Rays-16450766.php