The Tigers were beaten 12-5 on opening day this season and absorbed a difficult 5-4 loss Tuesday in a game they led 3-0 through seven innings.

Cabrera made sure the opening-week slump would not continue, hitting a three-run drive in the first and a solo shot in the fifth that bounced off the center-field restaurant at Rogers Centre.

* Note: Detroit is making sure General Motors Corp. has a presence at Comerica Park despite the automaker's decision to stop sponsoring the team.

Detroit-based GM's name in past seasons adorned a fountain behind center field, and some of its vehicles were on display.

This season, fans will see the General Motors name on the fountain along with logos for Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC. Underneath GM's name, a sign reads: "The Detroit Tigers support our automakers."

GM and Chrysler are trying to rebound with billions in government aid, and GM says in a statement it discontinued sponsorship this season of the Tigers and other major league teams.

Detroit's home opener is tomorrow against Texas.

* Twins: Joe Mauer is back in the batter's box and crouching behind the plate, moving a step closer to returning from the lower-back inflammation that landed him on the disabled list.

Mauer took batting practice Wednesday at Minnesota's spring training facility in Fort Myers, Fla., and hit a home run in his first BP action since last September.

Mauer has yet to resume running, the activity that caused him discomfort all spring.

* Mariners: Seattle star Ichiro Suzuki has been cleared to begin playing in his comeback from a bleeding ulcer that caused severe fatigue.

Suzuki will be the designated hitter in an extended spring training game with minor leaguers in Arizona today. Manager Don Wakamatsu said before Wednesday's game at Minnesota that Suzuki will play a total of three games before being re-evaluated. He'll either join the Mariners in Oakland this weekend or travel straight to Seattle.