Higginson’s Hits Help Tigers Avoid History

Bobby Higginson hit a three-run homer and Nate Robinson won his first major league game as the Detroit Tigers avoided their 100th loss of the season with an 8-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night at Detroit.

Detroit is 34-99 and must sweep the three-game series to avoid joining the 1962 New York Mets as the only teams in the modern era to lose 100 games before September.

Chicago right fielder Magglio Ordonez injured his left index finger trying to make a diving catch on Higginson’s RBI double in the first inning. He left the game and had X-rays, which were negative.

Toronto 7, Cleveland 3 -- Kelvim Escobar (10-8) pitched eight strong innings -- he retired 14 in a row from the second to seventh innings -- and Mike Bordick and Josh Phelps each hit a two-run homer at Cleveland.

Escobar bounced back from his worst performance of the season -- he gave up nine earned runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 17-2 loss to Oakland on Sunday. He gave up four hits, walked two and struck out four.

Oakland 5, Tampa Bay 2 -- Tim Hudson gave up six hits over eight innings, and Eric Chavez drove in three runs at Oakland as the Athletics matched a season high with their seventh consecutive victory.

Hudson (14-4) won his fifth straight start, retiring the last seven batters he faced, and the Athletics kept their two-game lead in the West Division over the Seattle Mariners.

Seattle 3, Baltimore 2 -- John Olerud’s two-run single capped a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Mariners only their second victory in 10 games.

Minnesota 8, Texas 5 -- The Twins took advantage of three walks, a wild pitch and a hit batter to score three runs in the eighth inning at Arlington, Texas. The Rangers learned that Juan Gonzalez probably won’t play again this season because of a lingering right calf injury.