Higginson: Four Homers in Four Tries

It was a blowout the Detroit Tigers nearly blew.

The Tigers hit five homers Tuesday, with Bobby Higginson hitting a record-tying fourth homer in four at-bats over two games, to take an 8-0 lead.

But the New York Mets scored four in the eighth and two in the ninth before Todd Jones finally got Bernard Gilkey to hit a game-ending flyout as Detroit held on for an an 8-6 victory.

“That wasn’t too good,” Tiger Manager Buddy Bell said. “For a while, we couldn’t stop the bleeding. And when that happens, the hitting becomes contagious.”

Early on, it was the home-run hitting for the Tigers that was contagious. They had a team record 11 homers in two games against the Mets, outscoring New York, 22-0, before the Mets finally scored to make it close. All but three of the Tigers’ 22 runs in the two games came on homers.

Higginson, who homered in his last three at-bats in Detroit’s 14-0 victory Monday night, became the 23rd player this century to homer in four consecutive at-bats. His streak ended when he took a called third strike in the third inning from Mets’ starter Bobby Jones (12-5).

“I was just looking for the perfect pitch,” Higginson said. “I was aware of it. I just couldn’t do it.”

Higginson homered once against Mark Clark and twice against Joe Crawford on Monday night. Brian Hunter was on base for each of Higginson’s homers, leading off the game with a single.

Higginson went 0 for three after his first-inning homer.