DETROIT (AP) -- April was a cruel month for the Detroit Tigers. There is hope, however, that May might be better.

Bobby Higginson's RBI single in the 12th inning lifted Detroit to a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. It was just the second win in 13 games for the Tigers, who finished April a major league-worst 6-17.

"It can't help but do anything but lift your spirits," said Bob Melvin, Detroit's acting manager while Phil Garner serves an eight-game suspension for his part in the April 22 brawls between the Tigers and White Sox at Comiskey Park.

"We really needed it," said Robert Fick, whose tying two-run pinch-hit double in the ninth inning sent the game to extra innings. "It's a great thing for everyone in here."

The Tigers took extra satisfaction in defeating Chicago, which had won the five previous meetings between the teams.

"They really wanted to beat those guys," Melvin said. "They really wanted to beat the White Sox."

Fick and Higginson were ironic heroes for Detroit since they were the main combatants in the first brawl and will soon serve their own suspensions.

The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Chicago, which won 10 of 11 and has the AL's best record at 17-8.

"We let one get away today, but those things happen," said Chicago's Frank Thomas, who left in the eighth inning with a pulled right hamstring. "We're going good right now. I hope this doesn't slow us down."

The Tigers scored twice in the ninth off Bill Simas, pressed into the closer's role in part because of Bob Howry's three-game suspension.

"We didn't have Howry, and anytime you're short it's a factor," said Joe Nossek, Chicago's acting manager while Jerry Manuel serves his eight-game banishment.

Scott Eyre (1-1) walked Brad Ausmus to lead off the 12th. One out later, Juan Gonzalez hit an infield single and Higginson followed with a single to center. Ausmus beat Chris Singleton's throw home.

"Scotty Eyre gave us a couple of good innings to win it and we didn't get it done," Nossek said.

Matt Anderson (1-0) retired the only batter he faced on one pitch for the win.

Magglio Ordonez hit a solo homer for the White Sox.

Simas, who blew his second save in as many opportunities, gave up singles to Damion Easley and pinch hitter Luis Polonia to start the ninth. After a sacrifice bunt, Fick fisted a blooper down the third-base line for a two-run double.

"I didn't hit it hard, I just got lucky," Fick said. "My plan was to just go up there and make contact and get at least one of those runs home."

The Tigers loaded the bases with two out, but a long drive by Gonzalez was hauled in by Jeff Abbott on the warning track near the 395-foot sign in left-center.

"I didn't get the sense in the dugout after the ninth inning that anybody thought we'd lose that game," Melvin said.

Hideo Nomo scattered eight hits over 7 2/3 innings and struck out a season-high nine for the Tigers.

"He's got determination, and when things get tough he makes good pitches," said Garner, who watched the game on television away from the ballpark.

White Sox starter Mike Sirotka, coming off a 12-6 loss to Baltimore in his last start, allowed an unearned run on eight hits in seven innings.

"It's nice to bounce back after the outing I had last time," Sirotka said. "I had a good, running fastball that was dropping out of the zone. I was getting them to hit it into the dirt all day."

Singles by Thomas and Paul Konerko put runners on first and third with two outs in the eighth before Singleton's tiebreaking single made it 2-1. It was the first run allowed by Nomo this season that didn't score on a homer.

Ray Durham hit an RBI single in the ninth off Todd Jones to give the White Sox a 3-1 lead.

Detroit scored its first run on Deivi Cruz's RBI double in the seventh.

Game notes
Detroit's Juan Encarnacion was 2-for-6 to extend his hitting streak 12 games. ... The White Sox haven't swept a three-game series at Detroit since May 1996. ... Detroit (6-17) avoided tying the team record (5-18) for worst 23-game start set in 1920 and matched in 1952 and 1953. ... Durham has hit safely in eight of nine games and 19 of 22. ... Thomas is listed as day-to-day.