No sweep: Tigers score 5 in the 8th to beat the Birds

Just like on Wednesday at New York, the Orioles came within a few outs of sweeping a series, but could not get it today at Comerica Park. Miguel Cabrera's three-run double off David Hernandez in the last of the 8th gave Detroit the lead as the Tigers beat the Birds 6-2 this afternoon as the Orioles wasted a very strong start by Chris Tillman. Detroit came up in the inning down 2-1, but Will Rhymes singled and Ryan Raburn doubled to left vs. Mike Gonzalez putting runners on second and third.

Hernandez came in and walked pinch-hitter Austin Jackson to load the bases for Cabrera, the Major League RBI leader. His two-bagger put Detroit up 4-2 and Cabrera is 12 for 25 vs. O's pitching this year with two homers, 10 RBI and seven extra-base hits. Later in the frame, Brandon Inge hit a two-run homer off Alfredo Simon for a 6-2 lead. Tillman got a no decision on a day he gave up just one hit and one run over 6 2/3. He walked six, fanned four and threw 107 pitches. O's starters pitched to an ERA of 2.11 with six quality starts in six outings on this road trip. Down 1-0, the Orioles came up two runs in the 5th to get the lead. With one out, Felix Pie singled and stole second. Jake Fox then tripled to scored Pie and he later scored on a wild pitch. It was the first career three-base hit for Fox. Brandon Snyder made his first Major League start, playing first base and batting ninth and went 0 for 3. Justin Verlander struck out 11 and gave up five hits over eight innings to get the win. He is now 16-8, 3.48. The Orioles lost for just the second time in eight games and ended this road trip going 4-2. They are 23-15 under Buck Showalter. They were trying for their first series sweep at Detroit since May 28-30, 2004. The Orioles return home to host Toronto Monday night in game one of a six-game homestand.