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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Just keep winning

Detroit’s J.D. Martinez, left, does an arm bump with Miguel Cabrera after Cabrera's solo homer in the ninth. (Associated Press)

Torii Hunter and Miguel Cabrera hit back-to-back home runs in the ninth inning to help the Detroit Tigers tighten their grip on the American League Central by winning their fourth straight game, 8-6 over the Minnesota Twins on Monday in Minneapolis.

The Tigers lost a 6-0 lead they built by the fifth, but after Joe Mauer’s second two-run single tied the game for the Twins in the eighth inning, Hunter hit the first pitch of the ninth from Casey Fien into the bullpen behind the left-center field fence.

Cabrera then crushed one to the same spot two pitches later. Its the eighth time this season the Tigers hit consecutive homers.

Kyle Ryan earned the victory by recording the last out of the eighth, and Joakim Soria converted his first save opportunity since being acquired by the Tigers despite allowing a leadoff double to Kurt Suzuki.

Royals 4, ChiSox 3

Pinch-runners Jarrod Dyson and Terrance Gore scored in the ninth inning as Kansas City rallied for a home victory over Chicago.

Mike Moustakas doubled with one out in the ninth. Dyson ran for him and stole third and came around to score as Jake Petricka threw a wild pitch.

After Nori Aoki doubled with two outs, Gore ran for him and scored from second on Lorenzo Cain’s infield single.

Wade Davis worked a scoreless ninth to pick up the victory, extending his scoreless streak to 31 2/3 innings.

White Sox starter John Danks pitched six scoreless innings and allowed just two singles, both by Aoki, before departing after 103 pitches. He struck out six and walked four.

The Royals are two games up on Seattle for the second A.L. wild card.

Astros 3, Indians 1

Jose Altuve had three hits to give him 209 this season and drove in two runs, leading Houston over visiting Cleveland.

The major league hits leader is one hit shy of the franchise record of 210, set by Craig Biggio in 2008.

Cleveland’s wild-card hopes continue to fade with a fourth straight loss. They now sit six games back for the second A.L. wild card.

The Astros trailed by one in the third inning when Altuve’s two-run single put Houston ahead for good.

Houston starter Collin McHugh (10-9) extended his career-long winning streak to six games.