ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – Brandon Inge hit a grand slam in the ninth inning as the Detroit Tigers picked apart Tampa Bay’s bullpen to beat the Rays, 5-3, Sunday for a three-game sweep in the American League.
Detroit won its sixth in a row and opened a seven-game lead over Minnesota in the AL Central.
Rays starter Wade Davis pitched seven sharp innings in his major league debut, giving up one run and three hits and striking out nine. Detroit overcame a 3-1 lead in the ninth when Tampa Bay tried five relievers, with Inge capping the comeback by connecting with one out against Russ Springer (0-3) for his fifth career slam.
Edwin Jackson (12-6) went eight innings and Brandon Lyon closed for his third save.
Evan Longoria hit his career-high 28th homer and reached 100 RBIs for the Rays, who have lost eight and 11. (AP)