(Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers hope to continue their home prowess this evening when the American League Central leaders continue their three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park.
The Tigers moved into first place on Monday, a half-game ahead of idle Minnesota, as Brandon Inge went 3-for-4 with four RBI, lifting Detroit to a 12-9 win in the opener. Carlos Guillen went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored while Miguel Cabrera added two hits, two runs scored and two RBI for the Tigers, who have taken three of their last four.
Johnny Damon went 3-for-6 with a pair of runs scored in the win and is now one hit shy of 2,500 for his career.
Andrew Oliver lasted just 1 2/3 innings in the start and was charged with six runs -- five earned -- on four hits with a walk and a strikeout. Eddie Bonine (4-0) got the win for working 2 2/3 innings of one-run ball.
"One of the ugliest games I've seen in a long time," said Detroit manager Jim Leyland. "It was real ugly out there, but it was pretty at the end so I guess it was worthwhile. Tough day for both teams to play. No one had good pitching out there."
Jake Fox hit a solo home run and scored twice and Julio Lugo went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Orioles, who have lost four of their last five games. Matt Wieters added a two-run single in the ninth.
Kevin Millwood went just one inning in the start as he was tagged for five runs on four hits with two walks and a strikeout. Mark Hendrickson (1-4) was handed the loss for giving up three runs over three innings.
"We couldn't put up enough runs out there today," said Fox. "Neither side had good pitching and at the end of the day we couldn't put up enough runs to get on top."
Hoping to keep the Tigers at the top of the Central will be right-hander Armando Galarraga, who has been miserable in his last three starts. Galarraga lasted just four innings on Tuesday in Minnesota, as the Twins reached him for six runs and seven hits, dropping him to 3-2, while skyrocketing his earned run average to 4.50.
Galarraga has lost both of his previous starts to the O's, pitching to a 4.61 ERA in the process.
Baltimore, meanwhile, will counter with one of its young arms in righty Jake Arrieta, who has lost his last two decisions after winning his first two starts. Arrieta absorbed the loss on Wednesday against Oakland, yielding four runs (three earned) and seven hits in six innings. He is 2-2 on the year and has pitched to a 5.81 ERA.
Detroit took five of its eight meetings with the Orioles last season.