TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Paul O'Neill went 2-for-2 with a homer and three RBIs as the New York Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers 9-7 Tuesday for their sixth straight win.

``Don't jinx us,'' joked Yankees manager Joe Torre, when asked about the winning streak. ``It's been a very sound spring fundamentally for me. A lot of good things have happened.''

New York started the spring 5-18, the worst record in the majors, before the recent streak.

O'Neill had a sacrifice fly during a four-run first-inning and hit a two-run homer in a three-run fourth. O'Neill has gone 5-for-5 with two homers and six RBIs the past two games.

Ricky Ledee and Felix Jose also hit solo homers for New York.

Wendell Magee and Damion Easley had solo homers for the Tigers. Easley broke his bat hitting his fifth homer of the spring.

Detroit designated hitter Juan Gonzalez left the game after doubling in the first inning with mild tightness in his right hamstring.

``It was just precautionary ... it's a day-to-day thing,'' Tigers manager Phil Garner said. ``It was tightening up. Right now, I'm not concerned.''

Yankees starter Andy Pettitte allowed seven runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings. Detroit's Dave Mlicki gave up eight runs and 11 hits over 4 1-3 innings.

``Both starters got their work in ... they got banged around,'' Torre said. ``It is what it is.''

Tigers outfielder Bobby Higginson, the subject of trade rumors that have included the Yankees and New York Mets this spring, went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

``I don't think so ... we'll see,'' said Higginson, when asked if he expected to be traded. ``I don't think the Yankees, for sure. I'd like to finish what I started here.''

Detroit's Juan Encarnacion was charged with two errors in center field. He misplayed O'Neill's liner _ which was scored a sacrifice fly and error _ that allowed two runs to score in the first inning and Ledee's flyball in the third.

Notes: New York 2B Chuck Knoblauch was hit by a pitch in the first inning and left two innings later with a left shoulder contusion. ... The Yankees optioned LHP Ed Yarnall to Triple-A Columbus and released C Tom Pagnozzi, who then announced his retirement. ... The Tigers placed LHP Sean Runyan (left shoulder) on the 15-day disabled list. RHP Masao Kida was optioned to Triple-A Toledo and INF Tilson Brito was reassigned to the minor-league camp. ... New York 3B Scott Brosius (right leg) returned after missing two games and had one hit in three at-bats. ... Darryl Strawberry, who was suspended last month for drug use, might check out of a rehab center as early as Wednesday.