NEW YORK -- Daniel Murphy is proud he put fatherhood ahead of baseball, and New York Mets manager Terry Collins thinks criticism his second baseman received for taking paternity leave this week was unfair. Murphy made his season debut Thursday, three days after the birth of son Noah. He called staying in Florida an extra day "the right decision to make" following wife Victorias cesarean section and said "we felt the best thing for our family was for me to stay." He learned Sunday that his wifes water broke, then travelled to Florida and missed Mondays 9-7 opening loss to Washington and Wednesday nights 5-1 defeat. He said his son was born at 12:02 p.m. Monday. Major league rules allow up to three days of paternity leave, and WFAN broadcaster Mike Francesa said on the air Wednesday that Murphy should not have skipped the second game. "One day I understand. And in the old days they didnt do that," Francesa said. "But one day, go see the baby be born and come back. Youre a Major League Baseball player. You can hire a nurse to take care of the baby if your wife needs help." A day later, Collins bristled after learning of the comments. "If youre accusing Dan Murphy of not wanting to play -- this guy played 161 games last year, wore himself out, played through all sorts of discomfort," he said. "You know, the man had his first child. Hes allowed to be there. The rules state that he can be there, so he went. Theres nothing against it. Theres nothing wrong with it. You know, he missed two games. Its not like hes missed 10. You know, when you start attacking Dan Murphys credibility, you need to look in the mirror a little bit." Murphy said he received text messages about the criticism. He was applauded before his first at-bat, singled and scored the Mets first run against the Nationals. He said his son was named after the Biblical character Noah, not for Mets teammate Noah Syndergaard. "People are going to say you named him after the monstrosity that throws like 1,000 miles an hour," Murphy said. "We didnt. Noah came from Noahs Ark. Peace and rest is what it means." Baby Noah kept his parents awake at 3 a.m. Wednesday. "We had our first panic session. It was dark. She tried to change a diaper, couldnt do it. I came in," he said. "It was just the three of us, 3 oclock in the morning, all freaking out. He was the only one screaming. I wanted to." NOTES: Murphy took the roster spot of OF Chris Young, who was put on the 15-day disabled list because of tightness in his right quadriceps. Cheap Air Max Store .com) - The Calgary Flames are spoilers once again. Mens Air Max 90 . -- Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford made it through a third straight practice without any setbacks and expects to play in Oaklands regular-season finale against San Diego. http://www.airmax2018sale.us/.com) - Patrick Reed poured in a 19-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole Monday to defeat Jimmy Walker and win the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Red Nike Air Max Shop . "First, I would like to offer my deepest and sincerest apologies for any harm I have inflicted on University of Missouri defensive lineman, Michael Sam," the statement read. Air Max White Online . "I was so nervous," Hadley said Sunday after winning the Puerto Rico Open for his first PGA Tour victory. "I did not eat well last night. DETROIT -- Ian Kinslers first few weeks with Detroit have been just what the Tigers were hoping for. Kinsler homered and drove in four runs, and the Tigers held on for a 7-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday. Kinsler has settled into Detroits leadoff spot nicely after the Tigers traded Prince Fielder for him in the off-season. He hit his second homer of the season -- a three-run shot in the fifth inning -- and raised his average to .327. "Im playing ball, man -- I love to play baseball," Kinsler said. "Im enjoying myself. I would like to win some more games, but right now were playing OK, and just waiting to erupt a little bit and run off a bunch of wins in a row." Justin Verlander (2-1) allowed three unearned runs in five innings, and the Tigers trailed 3-1 before Kinslers homer off Danny Salazar (0-2). Detroit never gave up the lead after scoring four runs in the fifth, although Clevelands Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in the seventh to make it 6-5. Joe Nathan pitched a perfect ninth for his second save in four chances. The Tigers used five relievers, trying to make it through the late innings with a bullpen thats been shaky so far. "I think as we go along here, well start to learn when guys are going to go in the game and when their role is going to be called upon," Nathan said. "Thatll help with preparation and getting yourself mentally ready to go in." There were four unearned runs in a sloppy game that included five errors, three by the Tigers. Lonnie Chisenhall had four hits for the Indians, raising his average to .522. Clevelands Jason Kipnis was ejected after striking out in the third inning. Kipnis struck out swinging with the bases loaded for the third out, then appeared to say something to plate umpire Lance Barrett, who immediately threw him out of the game. "He was upset about the first pitch, and I agreed with him," Indians manager Terry Francona said. Cleveland opened the scoring in the fourth when Asdrubal Cabrera reached on a bunt single aand went to second on a throwing error by Verlander.dddddddddddd David Murphy drove him in with a single. Austin Jacksons sacrifice fly in the bottom half tied it, but Verlander allowed two more runs in the fifth. An error by third baseman Nick Castellanos kept the inning going, and Brantleys bases-loaded single brought home two runs to make it 3-1. Verlander allowed six hits and four walks. He struck out seven. Salazar didnt fare any better. His outing ended in the fifth when the Tigers took the lead. Kinsler hit a 3-1 pitch over the fence in left-centre field, and Detroit added another run that inning on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Jackson. "I walked the first guy and then I started thinking about everything. I was trying to figure out if my arm was in the right slot, or if I had changed my delivery somehow, and then I was just lost," Salazar said. "I was overthinking everything, and trying to make a perfect pitch. As soon as I started doing that, the ball was all over the place." Reliever C.C. Lee added to Clevelands problems in the sixth when his errant pickoff throw allowed Detroits Rajai Davis to go from first to third. Davis scored on a single by Kinsler. Brantleys homer in the seventh brought the Indians within one, and Cabrera nearly tied it when his drive down the line in left sailed just foul. But the Tigers added a run in the eighth. Castellanos singled, and pinch-runner Andrew Romine stole second, advancing to third on a throwing error by catcher Yan Gomes. He scored when Davis beat out a two-out chopper for an infield single. Salazar allowed five runs, six hits and three walks in 4 2-3 innings. He walked three and struck out three. NOTES: Detroits Joba Chamberlain pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings in relief, striking out two. ... Detroit hosts the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night, with LHP Drew Smyly (1-0) starting for the Tigers against RHP Jered Weaver (0-2). Cleveland hosts Toronto. The Indians start RHP Justin Masterson (0-0) against RHP Drew Hutchinson (1-1). ' ' '