Cabrera's home run keeps Tigers in race

DETROIT — Miguel Cabrera moved one step closer toward doing something no one has done in 45 years while helping the Detroit Tigers keep their hopes high in the AL Central race.

Spread the wealth: Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera hits a home run against the Twins on Saturday in Detroit. AP

Cabrera hit his 42nd homer, putting himself in Triple Crown position by sending a drive soaring into the left-field seats as Detroit beat the Minnesota Twins 8-0 Saturday.

"It's something special," he said.

Doug Fister (10-9) was pretty good, too, in his first career shutout that saved Detroit's bullpen for Sunday's doubleheader.

The Tigers began the day 1? games behind the division-leading Chicago White Sox, who played later on the road against the Los Angeles Angels.

"This is what you play for, a chance to be in it," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "Obviously, we felt we would do a little bit better than this, but we haven't and we're still playing for something."

Cabrera's solo shot in the fourth inning tied him with Texas star Josh Hamilton for the most homers in the AL.

"Looked like a golf ball that he hit," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He's incredible."

Cabrera has a relatively comfortable league lead with a .332 batting average and 131 RBIs. Hamilton is sidelined for this weekend's series at Seattle because of a sinus condition that has caused blurred vision.

Carl Yastrzemski won the last Triple Crown in 1967. Yastrzemski took the batting and RBIs title, and tied Harmon Killebrew for the most homers in the AL.

Hall of Famer Al Kaline played in the AL when the last three players — Yastrzemski, Frank Robinson (1966) and Mickey Mantle (1956) — pulled off the feat. Now, he's watching Cabrera chase history up close as a special assistant in the Tigers' front office.

"It's so hard to do because usually when you hit for power like Miguel does, you usually don't hit for average like he is," Kaline said during the game.

Yankees 10, Athletics 9 (14)

In New York, Raul Ibanez hit his second home run of the game during a startling rally in the 13th inning, then the Yankees won a thriller when first baseman Brandon Moss' two-out error allowed Ichiro Suzuki to score in the 14th.

Oakland began the day with a 3?-game lead over Los Angeles for the second AL wild-card spot. The A's still have an edge, but blew a huge opportunity and lost for the fifth time in six games.

Ichiro's bat stayed hot for the AL East leaders, finishing 3-for-5 with an RBI and a walk.

Orioles 9, Red Sox 6 (12)

In Boston, Jim Thome hit a go-ahead double in the 12th in his first game in nearly two months, and Baltimore stretched its extra-inning win streak to 16 games.

Rays 11, Blue Jays 5

In St. Petersburg, Florida, B.J. Upton and Jose Molina homered during a six-run fifth inning and the surging Rays earned their fourth consecutive victory.

Royals 5, Indians 3

In Kansas City, Billy Butler hit a run-scoring single in the first inning to reach 100 RBIs for the first time, helping the Royals to the victory.

Angels 4, White Sox 2

In Anaheim, Dan Haren earned his first win at home in more than a month, Mark Trumbo capped a four-run first inning with a two-run single, and the Angels gained ground in the playoff race.

Mariners 1, Rangers 0

In Seattle, Michael Saunders homered, former Texas prospect Blake Beavan was terrific against his former club, and the Mariners kept the Rangers from extending their lead in the AL West.

View the original article here