AMERICAN LEAGUE
REUTERS AND AP, DETROIT, MICHIGAN
PHOTO: REUTERS
The Detroit Tigers slugged four home runs in the pitcher-friendly confines of Comerica Park on Saturday to beat the Minnesota Twins 7-4 and consign their divisional rivals to a fourth straight loss.
The Twins twice battled back to within a run early in the game, but Johnny Damon’s three-run homer in the fifth inning proved the difference, driving in Ramon Santiago, who led off the inning with a double, and Austin Jackson, who walked.
The American League Central-leading Tigers, who hold the American League’s best home record (32-12), stretched their winning streak to five and now lead the third-placed Twins by four games.
A two-run homer in the first inning by Miguel Cabrera and a solo shot by Alex Avila in the second propelled the Tigers to a 3-0 lead.
The Twins scored twice in the third inning, a single by Orlando Hudson scoring Nick Punto and Denard Span, but the Tigers escaped further damage by turning an inning-ending double-play.
The Twins’ Michael Cuddyer hit a solo home run in the fourth to pull the Twins to within one, but Magglio Ordonez did the same for the Tigers in the bottom half of the inning.
Delmon Young drove in Jason Kubel who led off the seventh inning with a double to complete the scoring for the Twins.
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau missed his third game with a concussion and will not play in the All-Star game, the team said.
Jeremy Bonderman pitched six innings for the victory, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out two. Jose Valverde pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his 19th consecutive save.
Twins starter Nick Blackburn was roughed up by the Tigers, however, and allowed all seven runs on seven hits.
Saturday’s other results:
• Mariners 4, Yankees 1
• Blue Jays 9, Red Sox 5
• Athletics 15, Angels 1
• White Sox 5, Royals 1
• Rays 4, Indians 0
• Orioles 6, Rangers 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, NEW YORK
Tim Hudson pitched seven gritty innings before turning it over to one of the best bullpens in baseball, as the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 4-0 in the National League on Saturday.
Omar Infante had three hits and drove in a run for the Braves after getting four hits in the series opener. Hudson (9-4) helped himself with a pair of hits that included an RBI double during a four-run fifth.
The Mets lost All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes, who left the game after making a difficult fielding play in the seventh inning.
New York starter Mike Pelfrey (10-4) allowed 15 of his 25 batters to reach base.
Saturday’s other results:
• Cubs 7, Dodgers 3
• Giants 10, Nationals 5
• Rockies 4, Padres 2
• Phillies 1, Reds 0, 11 innings
• Astros 4, Cardinals 1
• Diamondbacks 5, Marlins 4
• Brewers 4, Pirates 3
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