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 The Detroit Tigers rookie left-hander homered in his first career
plate appearance and had a lead in a respectable outing Wednesday
until a right oblique strain forced him out of the game in the fifth
inning and onto the disabled list.
Norris' teammates also had a big offensive night in a 15-8 victory
over the Chicago Cubs that allowed the Tigers to complete a two-game
series sweep.
Going forward, though, Detroit will be without Norris indefinitely.
"I went out for that (fifth) inning and it was the first curveball
that I threw to (center fielder Dexter) Fowler and I pulled down on
it and that's when I felt kind of a cramp," said Norris, who would
up with a no-decision. "And the next (pitch), I felt it again. I
wanted to stay in the game. I felt really good on the mound, but you
want to be smart about those things."
Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos hit two home runs -- including
a third-inning grand slam -- and went 4-for-5 with five RBIs.
Detroit right fielder J.D. Martinez clubbed his 32nd homer of the
season in the ninth. Left fielder Rajai Davis also went deep for the
Tigers.
Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant had a career-high four hits,
including a two-run homer. Fowler and left fielder Kyle Schwarber
homered for Chicago, too.
The Tigers and Cubs combined for eight home runs and 32 hits on
Wednesday after they collectively had five homers and 30 hits
Tuesday in a 10-8 Detroit victory.
"The offense showed up and we got a lot of hits," Tigers manager
Brad Ausmus said. "For both teams, the wind was a little bit of a
contributing factor, but we swung the bats well."
The Tigers (58-61) made it three wins in their past four games. The
Cubs (67-51) took their third consecutive loss.
"I'm just really happy it wasn't a three-game series," Cubs manager
Joe Maddon said. "What are you going to do? They hit the ball.
Everything they hit was hard, far. We played pretty good offense
ourselves. ... But those things happen."
Cubs left-handed starter Jon Lester (8-9) took the loss in a 2
2/3-inning outing.
Tigers right-handed reliever Neftali Feliz (3-3) worked the final 1
1/3 innings for the win.
In the second inning, Castellanos gave Detroit a 1-0 edge with a
leadoff home run to right.
Norris, who broke a panel on a Cubs video board with a home run swat
during batting practice, hit the real thing in the second inning.
His two-run shot to right in his first major league at-bat opened a
3-0 lead.
Norris became the first pitcher in four years to homer in his first
big league plate appearance. He also became the American League
pitcher to homer in a game at Wrigley Field.
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Castellanos made it 7-0 with a first-pitch grand slam to left with
no outs in the third. His second homer of the game brought home
second baseman Ian Kinsler, first baseman Miguel Cabrera and
Martinez.
It was the second grand slam of Castellanos' career.
"When our talent comes together, it's pretty obvious we have a
pretty dangerous squad," Castellanos said.
Lester allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck
out four.
"He was not on top of his game," Maddon said, "but he's fine. He's
going to be fine. I have no concerns whatsoever."
The Cubs broke the shutout with three runs in the third on two home
runs off Norris.
Fowler (three hits) homered to right for his 13th of the season,
matching a career high reached with the Colorado Rockies in 2012.
Bryant then launched his 17th homer to left with two outs, scoring
Schwarber to trim the Tigers' lead to 7-3.
Norris departed with one out and one runner on in the fifth. He was
replaced by left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, who walked the next two
batters to load the bases.
Gorzelanny left after getting Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo on a
popup for the second out. Right-hander Al Alburquerque entered and
got right fielder Jorge Soler to pop up in the infield to end the
threat.
Norris allowed three runs on four hits while striking out six and
walking one.
Davis slammed his fourth home run of the season to open the sixth.
The solo shot gave Detroit an 8-3 lead.
NOTES: Detroit called up RHP Drew VerHagen from Triple-A Toledo for
his second stint major league stint of the season. He allowed one
run in one inning Wednesday night. VerHagen was 3-3 with a 3.41 ERA
in 34 1/3 innings between Toledo and Double-A Erie. The Tigers
optioned INF Jefrey Marte to Toledo. ... Both the Tigers and Cubs
wore 1945 throwback uniforms, commemorating the 70th anniversary of
the end of World War II as well as the last time they met in a World
Series. ... Detroit returns home Thursday to open a four-game series
with Texas. Rangers LHP Martin Perez (1-2, 5.29 ERA) goes against
Tigers RHP Alfredo Simon (10-7, 4.84). ... The Cubs remain home and
open a four-game series with the Braves on Thursday, when RHP Jake
Arrieta (14-6, 2.39) faces Atlanta RHP Mike Foltynewicz (4-4, 5.61).
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