MLB
  Scores
  Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries: AL | NL
  Players
  Weekly Lineup
  Message Board
  Minor Leagues
  MLB Stat Search

Clubhouses

Sport Sections
  Sunday, Sep. 17 1:05pm ET
Tigers slip past Red Sox 5-4
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

DETROIT (AP) -- Unhappy about leaving Comerica Park with a four-game split, the Boston Red Sox headed home for their most important series of the season: five games against Cleveland, the AL wild card leader.

"We have to find a way to win four out of five against Cleveland," closer Derek Lowe said Sunday after Boston's comeback fell short in a 5-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

Dave Mlicki
Dave Mlicki, 2-1 since coming off the DL Sept. 5, four-hit the Red Sox for seven innings.

Dave Mlicki pitched four-hit ball for seven innings and Dean Palmer hit a two-run homer for Detroit.

Boston, which has lost two straight after winning three in a row, fell 2½ games behind Cleveland, which goes to Fenway Park for a Tuesday night game followed by back-to-back doubleheaders.

"The whole season basically comes down to one series," Scott Hatteberg said.

"After you play those five games we'll see where we are," manager Jimy Williams said. "We kind of control our own fate."

Mlicki (6-11) gave up one run and left with a 5-1 lead after allowing doubles by Nomar Garciaparra and Brian Daubach in the seventh.

"I put in my notes that's about the best I've seen him pitch all year," Tigers manager Phil Garner said.

Hatteberg hit a two-run homer when he pinch hit in the eighth off Danny Patterson, and Jason Varitek hit an RBI single in the ninth off Todd Jones, who struck out Bernard Gilkey to end the game with the potential tying run on second.

Jones got his team-record 39th save in 42 chances. John Hiller had 38 saves in 1973.

"It doesn't mean a lot to a lot of people, but it means a lot to me and a lot to John Hiller and the Tigers. I'm proud to be a Tiger," Jones said. "I'm just appreciative of the opportunity they've given me."

Jones converted his first chance since he tied Hiller's mark Sept. 5 against Anaheim. The Tigers lost nine of their next 11, falling out of contention.

"Todd's done a terrific job. You all know that," Tigers manager Phil Garner said. "I'm glad he had a closing situation today because the longer it lingers, the tougher it is to get."

Ramon Martinez (10-7) failed in his bid to win three straight decisions for the first time this year, giving up all five runs -- three earned -- and eight hits in five innings.

Detroit went ahead in the second when Tony Clark doubled, and Brad Ausmus singled.

Palmer made it 3-0 with a 447-foot homer in the fourth after Juan Gonzalez doubled.

Clark singled in the sixth and Ausmus followed with a single that scooted past center fielder Darren Lewis and rolled to the wall as pinch-runner Hal Morris and Ausmus scored.

The play was ruled a single and a three-base error on Lewis, who had replaced the injured Carl Everett in the fourth. The scoring decision drew a few boos from fans, who thought Ausmus should have been given an inside-the-park home run.

"I was surprised it wasn't a home run, but it doesn't matter," Ausmus said. "Both runs scored and we won the game."

Lewis said he lost track of the ball.

"It stayed in the stands. It was a low line drive," Lewis said. "The stands are real low here and you have the glare off the seats. You could see the infielders flinch when the ball was hit."

Ausmus said once the ball got past Lewis, he thought he could score. He wasn't angry when he saw the scoring decision by Steve Lysogorski of Stats Inc. posted on the scoreboard.

"I was out of breath. I didn't have the energy to have a reaction," he said. "I didn't think I could hit a home run to center field here -- and apparently I can't."

Game notes
Everett left with a strained quadriceps after hitting his face hard on the infield dirt during a head-first slide into second on a fourth-inning double. Everett started the slide well short of the bag. His head bounced off the dirt, and he appeared momentarily stunned but never lost consciousness and walked off with assistance from a trainer. ... Mlicki is 2-1 since coming off the disabled list Sept. 5 after a severe sinus infection that required surgery. ... RHP Pedro Martinez (17-5) and brother Ramon are a combined 27-12 for the Red Sox. The rest of Boston's starters are 27-37.

 


ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard

Boston Clubhouse

Detroit Clubhouse


RECAPS
Detroit 5
Boston 4

Cleveland 15
NY Yankees 4

Oakland 0
Tampa Bay 0

Seattle 3
Baltimore 2

Toronto 14
Chi. White Sox 1

Minnesota 1
Anaheim 0

Texas 6
Kansas City 5

Cincinnati 8
Milwaukee 4

Montreal 5
NY Mets 0

Philadelphia 6
Florida 5

St. Louis 4
Chicago Cubs 2

Houston 5
Pittsburgh 3

San Francisco 5
San Diego 1

Los Angeles 12
Colorado 6

Atlanta 7
Arizona 1

AUDIO/VIDEO
audio
 Todd Jones is happy to lead the major leagues with 39 saves.
wav: 87 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

 Carl Everett says the Red Sox are focused on winning games.
wav: 72 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6