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Monroe drives in winning run for rampant Tigers

Posted on: Tuesday, 15 August 2006, 23:44 CDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Craig Monroe drove in the winning run with a single in the top of the ninth inning, lifting the Detroit Tigers to a 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Tuesday.

Sean Casey had three hits and drove in a pair of runs for the Tigers, who trailed 1-0 before scoring twice in the seventh to lead before adding the winning run in the top of the final frame for their second straight win in Boston.

The Tigers, who snapped a five-game losing streak by winning the series opener on Monday, recorded a second straight victory over the Red Sox, who are battling the New York Yankees for the lead in the AL East as well as a wild card berth.

Detroit is being chased by the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central, but a pair of wins over Boston on the heels of their longest losing streak of the season should help the team's confidence.

"This team is not going to fold," Detroit manager Jim Leyland told reporters after the surprising Tigers stretched their lead in the division to 6 games.

"We have a lot of character guys in this dressing room."

Coco Crisp opened the scoring for the Red Sox with a solo homer in the third inning and that lead held up until the seventh, when the Tigers finally got to Curt Schilling for a pair of runs on a two-run double by Casey.

Boston tied the game in the eighth on David Ortiz's RBI single before Monroe's hit put the Tigers ahead to stay.

Detroit starter Jeremy Bonderman went 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.

Three relievers completed the six hitter, including Todd Jones, who pitched a hitless ninth for his 33rd save.

Fernando Rodney (6-3) got the last out in the eighth inning to get credit for the win.

Schilling lasted seven innings, allowing two runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

Mike Timlin (5-2) relieved him and allowed the winning run and two hits in two innings to take the loss.

Detroit's second baseman, Placido Polanco, injured his shoulder in the seventh inning and had to leave the game.

Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez then had to replace him at second with Vance Wilson taking over as catcher as Detroit did not have another second baseman available.

It was the first time in 2,256 career games that Rodriguez had played second. Reports after the game said Polanco may be out for the season.

In New York, Johnny Damon tied the game with a homer and Robinson Cano's RBI double cashed in the go-ahead run as the Yankees rallied to beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-3.

New York moved three games ahead of the Red Sox in the AL East with the victory.

Damon had two hits and three RBI for the Yankees, while Bobby Abreu had three hits to help pace New York's 12 hit attack.

Mike Mussina pitched six strong inning for the Yankees, but it was reliever Scott Proctor (5-3) who got the win, allowing one hit in 1 2/3 shutout innings.

Mariano Rivera got the last three outs for his 31st save.

Erik Bedard allowed one run on five hits in six innings for the Orioles, but reliever LaTroy Hawkins (1-2) allowed three runs on three hits in 2/3 innings to take the loss.

Kevin Millar homered for the Orioles.

Source: REUTERS

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