Recap: Detroit vs. Tampa Bay
Sports Network | September 28, 2008
Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Ben Zobrist hit a solo home run in the top of the 11th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays held on to edge the Detroit Tigers, 8-7, in the finale of a four-game series at Comerica Park.
Eric Hinske hit a two-run homer and knocked in three and Jonny Gomes chipped in with two RBI for Tampa Bay, which salvaged one game in the series. The Rays (97-65), set a franchise-record for wins this season, in addition to claiming their first American League East title.
James Shields got the start for the Rays and retired the side before leaving his postseason tune-up after one scheduled inning of work. He is slated to start Game 1 of the AL Division Series on Thursday. Edwin Jackson (14-11) picked up the win after allowing two runs on four hits over two innings. Jason Hammel recorded his second save of the season.
Curtis Granderson hit a three-run home run and drove in four, while Magglio Ordonez added a two-run shot for the Tigers, who had their three-game winning streak snapped. Detroit will play its regular-season finale on Monday at Chicago, necessitated by the White Sox and Minnesota finishing Sunday within one-half game of each other in battling for the AL Central division title.
Zach Miner got the starting nod for the Tigers and allowed three runs on four hits, while striking out six and walking a batter over six frames. Chris Lambert (1-2) was tagged with the loss. He surrendered one run on three hits in two innings of work.
With the Rays holding a 7-5 lead after eight and a half innings, Jackson was brought on to try and close out the game in the bottom of the ninth. After giving up a single to Gary Sheffield, Ordonez crushed a 2-2 slider over the left field wall to tie the game.
In the top of the 11th, Zobrist's solo homer to right gave the Rays an 8-7 edge and Hammel retired the Tigers in order to preserve the win.
Detroit grabbed a 3-0 lead in the third when Granderson belted a 1-2 fastball over the left field fence scoring Brandon Inge and Ramon Santiago to give the Tigers the early lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, a wild Mitch Talbot walked four straight batters, including free passes to Granderson and Sheffield that forced in two runs.
The Rays responded by closing the deficit in the top of the fifth. A solo home run by Rocco Baldelli and two-run shot by Hinske made it a 5-3 game, then the Rays grabbed the lead with four more in the eighth.
A two-run ground-rule double by Gomes, a run-scoring base-hit by Zobrist and bases loaded walk by Hinske put the Rays in front 7-5.
Detroit's Freddy Garcia (1-1) is scheduled to start Monday against Chicago's Gavin Floyd (16-8)...Tigers starting shortstop Edgar Renteria left the game with a left pectoral strain in the top of the fifth...Zobrist finished 7- for-15 with four homers and seven RBI in the series.
