That came off Martinez's left-handed swing, the side that powered the switch-hitter two years ago but plagued him last year. It went almost overlooked in Cabrera's hit display, but not in the Tigers' dugout.
"He looks much more similar to the 2014 V-Mart than he did in 2015," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "Not even close for me."
One night later, Martinez drove in the Tigers' only run with a double to the warning track in straightaway center. He hit a three-run homer to right the next night, Each one came off that left-handed swing, the power evident in his legs, the turn putting pressure on that 37-year-old left knee, 15 months separated from a torn meniscus.