Tigers’ rookie Marte does best Cabrera impression


Jefry Marte watches his first major league home run in the win over Seattle. (Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)

SEATTLE — Hey, nobody on the Detroit Tigers is going to hit like former Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera.

But rookie first baseman Jefry Marte did his best Cabrera impersonation in his first major league start Wednesday in the Tigers’ 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

With Cabrera on the 15-day disabled list because of a Grade 3 calf strain, the Tigers’ plan is to play left-handed hitting first baseman Marc Krauss against right-handers and right-handed hitting Marte against lefties.

On Tuesday, Krauss hit a homer in his first start for the Tigers against Taijuan Walker. Marte hit one Wednesday in the fourth off southpaw J.A. Happ after doubling in his first at-bat. Marte’s one-out blast to left-center traveled an estimated 398-feet and gave the Tigers a 4-2 lead. It was also the first home run of the 24-year-old’s big-league career.

A fan threw the ball back on the field. Marte, who was recalled last weekend from Triple-A Toledo, said he was going to keep it and give it to his family, who were watching from the Dominican Republic.

“Man, I don’t know what to say,” a stunned Marte said post-game after checking his cellphone for about five minutes. “I’m so excited.”

Marte went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Not bad for a guy making his first big-league start.