Tigers maintain AL Central lead with 5-4 win over Orioles

The Detroit Tigers won the first game of a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles, 5-4. The victory kept the Tigers three games ahead of the second-place Indians in the American League Central, who defeated the Minnesota Twins, 3-2.

Rookie Andy Dirks led the way offensively by going 4-for-4 and knocking in the winning run with an RBI single in the sixth, and the Tigers' bullpen pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings to make a winner of starting pitcher Brad Penny, who improved to 8-9 after starting on eight days' rest.



And once again, Austin Jackson was able to steal away another homerun from Baltimore with another spectacular catch to seal the victory.

Before the game began, Tigers relief pitcher Al Alburquerque was sent to the hospital after he was accidently struck on the temple of his head by a batted ball during Orioles batting practice. Alburquerque remained in the hospital overnight for observation and was treated for a concussion and internal bleeding.

With Alburquerque weighing heavy on the Tigers' minds, they were still able to pull off a win, thanks to their All-Star closer, Jose Valverde, who was able to pick up his 34th save in 34 chances.