Cabrera provides hit to give Jackson victory

5/22/2009

DETROIT - Once again, the Detroit Tigers found a way to spoil the Texas Rangers' trip to Comerica Park.

The Tigers stuck with Edwin Jackson, even after he'd allowed Texas to tie yesterday's game in the eighth inning. The right-hander, with plenty of help from Miguel Cabrera, rewarded the club's faith.

Jackson worked out of further trouble and Cabrera hit a go-ahead single in the bottom of the inning to help the Tigers win their sixth straight game, 4-3 over the Rangers.

Curtis Granderson and Clete Thomas homered for Detroit, which completed its second sweep of Texas this season and has beaten the Rangers 11 times in a row at home.

The Rangers arrived with a seven-game winning streak, but managed only seven runs in their three losses.

"We just got beat," manager Ron Washington said. "In the last two games, we were one hit away from the game being different.

"Today, we were one hit away from the game being different on three different occasions."

Fernando Rodney earned his eighth save in as many chances, getting Michael Young to ground into a game-ending double play with runners at first and third.

Jackson (4-2) won his third straight start, throwing a career-high 132 pitches in eight innings.

Manager Jim Leyland visited the mound before the Rangers tied the game, but said he had no intentions of pulling Jackson, even during the rocky eighth.

"He's a warrior," Leyland said. "I felt like he deserved to be out there."

Jackson was a strike away from escaping the inning with a 3-1 lead, but Nelson Cruz hit a two-run double. With runners at the corners, Jackson struck out Jarrod Saltalamacchia to end the threat.

"It would've been easy to go to the pen," Jackson said of Leyland's decision to stick with him, "but I'm glad he had that confidence. It rubs off on a pitcher."

Jackson gave up seven hits, walked five and struck out seven. He has a 1.64 ERA and 21 strikeouts in his last three starts.

Kevin Millwood (4-4) took the complete-game loss, giving up six hits.

NOTES: Detroit sent outfielder Wilkin Ramirez back to the Mud Hens after the game to make room for Magglio Ordonez (bereavement list).