Tigers End Maddux’s 10-Game Streak, 4-2

Deivi Cruz squeezed home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Detroit Tigers ended Greg Maddux’s 10-game winning streak, defeating the Atlanta Braves, 4-2, Monday night.

“This is big--beating one of the best pitchers ever,” said Brian Moehler, who gave up six hits and two runs to gain the win. “When you face a Clemens or a Maddux, you’re up for it. I was up for it. Our hitters were up for it.”

Maddux (17-4) had not lost since a June 13 interleague game against Baltimore, a span of 14 starts in which he gave up more than three earned runs only once.

“You’ve got to give them credit,” Maddux said. “They put the bat on the ball. When you put it in play, you give yourself half a chance.”

Maddux gave up eight hits, striking out eight and walking none in seven innings. But he wound up taking the loss because of two softly hit balls in his final inning.

With the score tied, 2-2, Damion Easley led off with a bloop single that dropped in front of center fielder Kenny Lofton, who bobbled the ball for an error that allowed Easley to move up to second. Easley went to third on a grounder and came home when Cruz dropped a squeeze bunt in front of the mound.

Easley walked to set up a run-scoring single by Cruz in the ninth.

“Arguably, this was our best-executed game of the year, offensively and defensively,” Detroit Manager Buddy Bell said. “And to do it against the best pitcher in the game really gives us hope.”

Four Detroit pitchers worked the final three innings, with Todd Jones coming on in the ninth for his 26th save. The Tigers ended Atlanta’s streak of homering in 10 consecutive games.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

WHO: Detroit Tigers

WHERE: Tiger Stadium

WHEN: Thursday: 4 p.m.; Friday: 4 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m.