American league roundup: Tigers sweep away White Sox

DETROIT (AP) — Miguel Cabrera listened intently to Jim Leyland and did exactly what the Detroit Tigers manager told him to do.

Cabrera hit a game-ending solo homer in the ninth inning and the Tigers beat the Chicago White Sox 2-1 Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.

“Leyland told me before the game to try to hit a home run and be a hero,” Cabrera said. “It feels great. We won and we swept the series.”

The sweep came after an embarrassing 8-2 loss to Cleveland that ended with Dontrelle Willis demoted to Single-A.

“These are still baby steps, but we’ve taken straight three baby steps,” Leyland said. “We have to start playing well enough to get people talking about us again.”

Royals 6, Rangers 5

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Alex Gordon and Mike Aviles each hit a two-run homer and the Royals beat the Rangers to avoid a three-game sweep.

The Rangers led 5-4 before Kansas City pushed across two runs in the eighth. Pinch-runner Tony Pena Jr. scampered home on Frank Francisco’s wild pitch and Gordon scored on Jose Guillen’s sacrifice fly to give the Royals the lead.

Ron Mahay (2-0) recorded two outs to earn the win and Joakim Soria worked a perfect ninth for his 15th save

Red Sox 9, Orioles 2

BOSTON — Mike Lowell hit his second grand slam of the season, a streaking J.D. Drew hit a two-run shot and the Boston Red Sox kept rolling at home with a 9-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

The Red Sox are 18-3 in their last 21 games at Fenway Park. Their 28-7 home record is the best in the majors, but their 14-20 mark away from home is the worst of the six division leaders. They open a six-game road trip on Friday night in Cincinnati.

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