‘One hit changing things?’ J.D. sparks needed win

BALTIMORE — Over the course of a 162-game season, some pitches, hits and wins count more than others. The Tigers were four outs away from a 12th loss in 13 games on Sunday, the kind of stretch that can lead to significant changes.

Then J.D. Martinez held off from swinging at an oh-so-close 2-2 pitch.

Then Martinez turned on the next offering from Orioles reliever Darren O’Day for a game-tying home run.

Then Miguel Cabrera mashed the next pitch from the submariner for a go-ahead blast.

Then the bullpen finished off the 6-5 win, securing the first Major League victory for rookie reliever Warwick Saupold.

Then the Tigers roared in the visiting clubhouse inside Oriole Park at Camden Yards, because some pitches, hits and wins count more than others.

“I think it’s well-established we needed a win,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said after Detroit’s second victory since May 1. “This was a nail-biter of a win. Seesaw back-and-forth type of game. We’ve talked about maybe one hit changing things. J.D.’s hit might have been that.”

That type of hit, a home run off a dominant setup man not known for serving up long balls, seemed unlikely — perhaps especially so for a team …

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