Tigers snap 6-game loss spiral
8/8/2008CHICAGO - Manager Jim Leyland was realistic before the game even started, describing Detroit's chances for making a late run in the AL Central.
"Eventually time runs out if you don't start winning games," he said. "Do we have time? Yes."
Last night, the Tigers showed how they'll have to play to get back in the race. They got a homer and three RBIs from Miguel Cabrera and a nice defensive play from Ryan Raburn to beat the Chicago White Sox 8-3 and end a six-game losing streak.
"We haven't played very good," Cabrera said. "We have to finish strong. Hopefully we can play better."
Zach Miner (6-4) allowed seven hits and two runs - one earned - in six innings. Fernando Rodney got the final four outs to get his second save in six chances and just the 23rd in 43 opportunities for Detroit's struggling bullpen.
Curtis Granderson also homered for Detroit. And Magglio Ordonez had a two-run triple and Matt Joyce a run-scoring double in the ninth to put it away. Detroit is 7 1/2 games behind the White Sox in the AL Central, and second-place Minnesota trails first-place Chicago by a half game.
Carlos Quentin's AL-leading 30th homer, off Bobby Seay in the eighth, pulled Chicago within 5-3.
But Chicago's rally fizzled when Jim Thome, who had walked, was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Paul Konerko's double to left. Raburn, who initially had the ball bound away from him, threw to shortstop Ramon Santiago, who made a perfect peg to catcher Brandon Inge to easily get Thome for the second out.
"With the ball rattling around in the corner ... I don't know of any third base coach who would have held him up there," Konerko said, defending the decision of coach Jeff Cox.
"You have to make the decision right away. Sometimes you make the right one, sometimes you make the wrong one," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "I never will criticize my coaching staff."
After Seay hit Ken Griffey Jr. with a pitch, Rodney relieved. Raburn, who entered the game in the seventh as a defensive replacement, saved the Tigers with a nice diving catch on Alexei Ramirez's liner with runners at second and third.
"Midway in the air I figured I had a chance," Raburn said. "You see what happens and then you just go hard. It was a great feeling not starting the game and coming in for defensive purposes and making a great play."
Granderson led off the seventh with his 14th homer to put Detroit ahead 5-2.
DETROIT - Even if Tiger Stadium boosters can't come up with $15.6 million to preserve part of the historic ballpark, a sports museum may be built on the site anyway.
Detroit's Economic Development Corp. Wednesday approved a tentative plan for the stadium. The City Council will vote on the terms today.