Live blog: Tigers win rain-shortened game over Tribe

FINAL: TIGERS 6, INDIANS 3

The game between the Tigers and the Indians has officially been called after five innings because of rain. The Tigers are the big winners here, using Miguel Cabrera's three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to win tonight's rain-shortened contest, 6-3

Michael Fulmer struggled with his control early on, giving up the first run of the game in the first inning before working out of a bases loaded jam in the third. After a 45-minute rain delay, Fulmer came back out for the fourth inning and put two men on base before giving way to the bullpen. The Indians were able to tie things up at 3-3 off of Blaine Hardy, but the Tigers relieve settled in to get out of the inning and pitch well in the fifth.

After a pair of base hits set the stage for Cabrera in the fifth, the big man hit his most timely home run of the season to right field. That's his 36th long ball of the year.

The Tigers and Indians will get back at it tomorrow afternoon for their final meeting of the regular season.

Time for another delay...

After Miguel Cabrera's game-changing home run gave the Tigers a 6-3 lead and made tonight's game official, the umpires called for bringing the tarp back onto the field at Comerica Park.

The radar doesn't look promising and that's what makes Cabrera's timely bomb so huge.

Stick with The Detroit News for updates.

Bottom 5th: Tigers 6, Indians 3

With a lengthy delay and possible cancellation of tonight's festivities, Miguel Cabrera went deep in the fifth inning for a three-run home run that makes tonight's game with the Indians official, giving the Tigers a 6-3 lead.

The Tigers caught a break when Lonnie Chisenhall lost the ball in the lights on a liner from Jose Iglesias, putting the leadoff man on for the Tigers. Ian Kinsler appeared to ground into a double play, but Carlos Santana couldn't hang onto the ball at first base. Cameron Maybin moved Kinsler up to second with a base hit to left field, putting two men on with one out for Cabrera.

Victor Martinez flew out to left field for the second out of the inning, and J.D. Martinez hit a ground rule double to center field before Justin Upton flew out to shallow left field to end the inning.

Top 5th: Tigers 3, Indians 3

Lonnie Chisenhall drew a leadoff walk from Blaine Hardy, but the Tigers relieve bounced back, getting Tyler Naquin to ground into an inning-ending double play following a strike out of Coco Crisp.

With no real assurances of how long tonight's game could last due to mother nature, the Tigers could potentially win the game in the bottom of the fifth, where the game would be considered official.

Bottom 4th: Tigers 3, Indians 3

Nick Castellanos was able to draw a two-out walk from Jeff Manship, who came out of the Cleveland bullpen to start the inning. James McCann flew out to shallow center field to unceremoniously end the inning.

J.D. Martinez struck out swinging and Justin Upton did the same to start inning.

Top 4th: Tigers 3, Indians 3

Tyler Naquin got things started with a single through the right side of the infield. Roberto Perez grounded into a fielder's choice for the first out of the inning, but Rajai Davis singled to left field to cut into the Tigers lead, making it 3-2.

That was the end of the night for Fulmer, who just couldn't get it together before or after the rain delay.

Blaine Hardy got the call from the bullpen and promptly walked Jason Kipnis, giving the Tribe men on first and second with one out. Francisco Lindor hit a ball deep to left field that took Justin Upton to the warning track, but the wind kept the ball in the park for the second out of the frame. Carlos Santana was able to get the run in, though, singling into left field to tie things up, 3-3.

Hardy was able to get Jose Ramirez to ground out to third to end the inning.

Bottom 3rd: Tigers 3, Indians 1

That rain delay appears to have been a blessing for the Tigers.

Cody Anderson got the call out of the Cleveland bullpen following the rain delay and James McCann welcomed him with a leadoff double. Jose Iglesias promptly followed with a double down the left field line, tying the game at 1-1. Ian Kinsler then took the first pitch he saw and hit it out to left field for a two-run home run that gives the Tigers a 3-1 lead.

The next three Tigers hitters went down in order. Cameron Maybin struck out swinging, Miguel Cabrera did the same and Victor Martinez fouled out to end the inning.

Tarp comes off the field

Despite the presence of a light rain, the tarp has been taken off the field at Comerica Park. The game is scheduled to resume at 8:50. Michael Fulmer was seen warming up in the bullpen, so it assumes he will be coming back into the game when it gets to the top of the fourth.

Rain brings tarp out at Comerica

The Tigers and Indians are in a rain delay after a steady rain started in the third inning. If the delay is a lengthy one, that could be the end of the night for Michael Fulmer.

Top 3rd: Indians 1, Tigers 0

Michael Fulmer loaded the bases with nobody out, but he dug down deep and was able to get off the mound unscathed in the third inning.

Jason Kipnis reached base for the second time tonight with a leadoff double to right field. Fulmer continued to struggle, issuing back-to-back walks to Francisco Lindor and Carlos Santana to load the bases. Fulmer got the first big out by getting Jose Ramirez to pop out to third, followed by another from Lonnie Chisenhall. Coco Crisp grounded out to second to end the inning.

Bottom 2nd: Indians 1, Tigers 0

Justin Upton was able to work a two-out walk, but Nick Castellanos flew out to right field to end the inning.

Victor Martinez grounded out to second and J.D. Martinez grounded out to shortstop to start the frame.

Top 2nd: Indians 1, Tigers 0

Lonnie Chisenhall notched a leadoff single through the right side of the infield. After Coco Crisp flew out to center field, Tyler Naquin was able to hit a chopper over Miguel Cabrera's head and into right field to put runners on the corners. Michael Fulmer was able to strike out Roberto Perez for the second out of the inning. Rajai Davis flew out to center field to end the frame.

Fulmer has an elevated pitch count at 46. That doesn't bode well for the Tigers or Fulmer, who needs to throw 6.1 innings to qualify for the ERA title.

Bottom 1st: Indians 1, Tigers 0

Miguel Cabrera clobbered a ball to right center, but that's the wrong place to try and hit home runs at Comerica Park, as he was thrown out sliding into second to end the inning.

Ian Kinsler struck out looking and Cameron Maybin flew out to right field to start the inning.

Top 1st: Indians 1, Tigers 0

Michael Fulmer picked up two strikeouts to the first three batters he faced, but a one-out walk to Jason Kipnis and an errant throw to first base that moved the runner up to third were enough to get the Tribe out in front after Carlos Santana doubled to right center to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

With Santana on second, Fulmer was able to get Jose Ramirez to ground out to second to end the inning.

Fulmer threw 21 pitches in the opening frame.

TIGERS LINEUP

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. Cameron Maybin, CF

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. J.D. Martinez, RF

6. Justin Upton, LF

7. Nick Castellanos, 3B

8. James McCann, C

9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Michael Fulmer, P

INDIANS LINEUP

1. Rajai Davis, LF

2. Jason Kipnis, 2B

3. Francisco Lindor, SS

4. Carlos Santana, 1B

5. Jose Ramirez, 3B

6. Lonnie Chisenhall, RF

7. Coco Crisp, DH

8. Tyler Naquin, CF

9. Roberto Perez, C

Zach McAllister, P

TIGERS VS. INDIANS

When: Wednesday, 7:10 p.m.

Where: Comerica Park, Detroit

Pitching matchup: RHP Michael Fulmer (11-7, 2.95 ERA) vs. RHP Zach McAllister (3-2, 3.58 ERA)

Local TV: Fox Sports Detroit

National TV: None

Internet streaming: MLB.TV (blacked out in Detroit market)

Local radio: 97.1 FM

Satellite radio: SIRI 217