Jays Beat Tigers
Posted September 28, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Toronto Blue Jays jumped ahead to a seven run lead before the Detroit Tigers managed to make a game of things Thursday afternoon. Despite a valiant effort, the Tigers fell short, falling 8-6 to the Jays after a rough outing on the mound by Kenny Rogers.
Detroit’s lead in the AL Central fell to just a half-game with the Twins now able to tie things up should they defeat Kansas at home Thursday night.
In order to claim the division title and secure home-field advantage next week, the Twins would have to move past Detroit (95-64) since they lost the season series.
The Tigers finish things off at home with a three-game series against Kansas City.
“I’m not going to give them a Knute Rockne, let’s go get ’em type of thing. I can tell you that right now,” manager Jim Leyland said. “If we win three games, we’re the champs. That’s one break we’ve got. If we can’t take advantage of it, shame on us.”
Rogers struggled throughout his outing, giving up seven runs — five earned — on eight hits. He also walked one and hit a batter, lasting just 3 2/3 innings.
“I’m not going to dwell on it too long. I’ve done pretty well for a long period of time,” Rogers said.
“I’d rather have a mediocre to poor one now rather than later.”
