Thursday’s result

Tigers 6, Orioles 5: At Baltimore, Gary Sheffield and Brandon Inge hit two-run homers, Marcus Thames added a solo shot, and Detroit resumed its playoff drive by defeating the Orioles.

Kenny Rogers (7-6) allowed four runs and 11 hits in six gritty innings for the Tigers, who moved within 6 1/2 games of first-place Chicago in the Central. Detroit has won 24 of 35 since June 6.

Todd Jones, the fifth Detroit pitcher, worked the ninth for his 18th save. After Aubrey Huff hit a one-out sacrifice fly with the bases loaded, Jones retired Kevin Millar on a grounder to third.

Melvin Mora homered for the Orioles, who have dropped eight of nine to fall four games worse than .500 (45-49).

Baltimore starter Garrett Olson (6-5) gave up five runs, seven hits and four walks in six innings.

Inge gave the Tigers a 5-4 lead in the sixth with his seventh homer that followed a two-out single by Edgar Renteria. It was his first home run on the road since May 17, 2007, at Boston.

Baltimore got runners at the corners with no outs in the bottom half, but Rogers got out of the jam. Ramon Hernandez got caught in a rundown after breaking to the plate on a grounder by Brandon Fahey, then Brian Roberts hit into a 5-3 double play.

Associated Press