Sat Jun 28 22:58:13 2008

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Red-hot Tigers rebound from disaster to nip Rockies

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Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - After giving up four runs in the top of the ninth, the Detroit Tigers scored two runs on Miguel Cabrera's double in the bottom half to defeat the Colorado Rockies, 7-6, in the middle installment of a three-game interleague set from Comerica Park.

Edgar Renteria finished 3-for-5 and scored a run for the Tigers, who own a 16-4 mark over their last 20 contests. Placido Polanco was 2-for-5 and scored twice. Magglio Ordonez singled in his over plate appearance before leaving in the third due to right oblique spasms. He was replaced by Ryan Raburn, who clubbed his first career grand slam and scored the winning run.

Detroit starter Justin Verlander went 5 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and four walks. Todd Jones blew his first save of the season after he gave up four runs in only two-thirds of an inning. The rally made a winner out of Freddy Dolsi (1-2), who recorded the final out in the top of the ninth.

With a record of 40-40, the Tigers reached the .500 plateau for the first time in 2008.

Willy Taveras was 3-for-6 and knocked in two runs for the Rockies, who have dropped six in a row. Chris Iannetta had three hits, including a double that drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth. Matt Holliday finished 2- for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Ryan Spilborghs scored two runs and knocked in another.

Jeff Francis gave up five runs -- four earned -- on 11 hits over six innings for Colorado. Brian Fuentes (1-3) surrended to two runs in the bottom of the ninth to take the loss. It was his fourth blown save of the season.