Yankees Bring Out the Beast in Tigers

Most of the time, the Detroit Tigers struggle to score runs against any team. Put the World Series champions in front of them, though, and they turn into Murderers’ Row.

The Tigers hit double figures Thursday against the New York Yankees for the second time in as many nights, winning easily, 11-2, at Detroit.

“We’re just swinging the bat well against them,” Tiger Manager Phil Garner said. “We were making good swings tonight and hitting tough pitches. We need to keep this going.”

The Tigers are 9-3 against the Yankees in Comerica Park’s two-year history.

“Every time we come in here, everything goes right for them,” said the Yankees’ Paul O’Neill. “We’re used to that--every team gets excited about playing us. That comes with being the champs.”

Jose Lima (2-1) picked up his second victory in five starts with the Tigers, giving up seven hits in his first complete game since June 7, 1999.

“I don’t have to prove anything--I know I’ve got a lot of talent,” Lima said. “I know I can go out there and pitch like I did when I won 20 in 1999. There’s a lot of complete games left for Jose Lima.”

Andy Pettitte (9-6) lost his second consecutive start, giving up seven runs and 10 hits in four innings. He was pitching on three days’ rest for the first time this year, a move caused by Wednesday’s doubleheader and Adrian Hernandez’s illness.

“He only pitched four innings, so I don’t think the short rest had anything to do with it,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “He had good stuff and command. The Tigers just kept putting the ball in play.”

Toronto 4, Boston 3--Raul Mondesi hit a game-winning single as the Blue Jays rallied for three runs with two out in the ninth inning at Toronto.

The Blue Jays ended a four-game losing streak while the Red Sox missed a chance to tie the Yankees for first place in the American League East.

Cleveland 10, Chicago 3--Jim Thome hit two home runs, doubled and drove in four runs at Chicago and Dave Burba won for the first time in 5 1/2 weeks.

Thome reached the 30-homer plateau for the sixth time, a club record. He hit three homers in the two-game series and has 10 in his last 17 games.

Minnesota 12, Oakland 10--Reserve Brian Buchanan was four for five with four runs batted in and Corey Koskie doubled twice and drove in three runs as a lineup filled with reserves rallied the Twins at Minneapolis.

The American League Central-leading Twins had a season-high 20 hits and ended a four-game losing streak, while the A’s had their four-game winning streak stopped. Oakland, which blew a 4-0 lead, lost for only the fifth time in 20 games.

Kansas City 6, Seattle 3--Carlos Beltran tripled and hit one of the Royals’ five doubles at Kansas City, Mo.

Reliever Cory Bailey was one out away from his first major league save when he was ejected for throwing two close pitches to Ichiro Suzuki.

Kansas City Manager Tony Muser also was tossed, and he threw his cap while arguing with umpire Jim Joyce. Two Royal batters had been hit by pitches earlier in the game.

Texas at Baltimore--The day-night doubleheader between the Rangers and Orioles was postponed because of Wednesday’s train derailment near Camden Yards.