The Tigers pulled out an important come from behind victory against the D-Rays. Detroit came back after trailing 3-1 headed to the bottom of the ninth inning. A strange thing happened at Comerica as about half the outfield lights went out due to a computer malfunction. It was decided play could continue after a five minute delay. The Tigers tied the score with RBI singles by Granderson and Polanco. Granderson played hero in the 13th inning driving in the winning run with his fourth hit on the long night. The night started as a great pitching dual between current and future stars Justin Verlander and Scott Kazmir. Both youngsters pitched well, but Kazmir held the upper hand leaving after the fifth without allowing a run and a 1-0 lead. Verlander went an inning longer, but gave up two runs. He was taken deep in the first by Jorge Cantu, who also drove in the second run with a sac fly in the sixth. The lead grew to 3-1 on a HR off of Roman Colon by Julio Lugo.
Detroit scored their first run in the seventh thanks to an error by Lugo. Tampa committed three errors, which proved costly. Brandon Inge reached on an error in the thirteenth before scoring the winning run on Granderson’s single. Polanco, Pudge and Thames all had two hit games for the Tigers.
Fernando Rodney pitched three scoreless innings striking out two. Todd Jones recovered to pitch two scoreless for his first win on the year. The Chicago White Sox continue to win and remain 1.5 games behind Detroit.
*** OEs 3 Stars of the Game ***
#3 Justin Verlander – 6 IP, 3 Hs, 2 Rs, 3 BBs, 2 Ks, 1 HR, 3.32 ERA
#2 Todd Jones – Win (1), 2 IP, 1 Hs, 0 Rs, 0 BBs, 0 Ks, 6.38 ERA
#1 Curtis Granderson – 4-6 with a run scored, 1 BB and 2 RBI
On Tap – Game 65 (41-23) v. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (26-38) June 13th, 7:05 ET
Kenny Rogers (8-3, 3.46) v. Seth McClung (2-8, 6.25)
