Critical Notes

Carlos Guillen blasted a grand slam that led the Tigers to a win. (AI Wire photo)

The Tigers entered Yankee Stadium for a four-game series knowing the outcome could determine their postseason fate.

Carlos Guillen sent the message that the defending American League champs intend to stick around to the end. Guillen belted a grand slam in the first inning and the Tigers got six runs off Mike Mussina (8-8) then held on for an 8-5 win in the Bronx on Thursday night.

With the win, the Tigers (67-54) moved a half-game ahead of idle Cleveland for the AL Central lead and tied wild-card leaders New York and Seattle. They also paid +138 on the moneyline for the upset (meaning a $100 wager would net a $138 profit).

Justin Verlander (13-4) allowed three earned runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings for Detroit and Ivan Rodriguez hit a solo homer in the seventh off Ron Villone.

Bobby Abreu hit a two-run shot off Verlander in the third as the Yankees tried to rally from the early 6-0 deficit. They scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth off closer Todd Jones, but couldn’t get any closer as they fell 5.5 games behind AL East-leading Boston. Hideki Matsui was 3-for-5 with a run and two RBIs in the loss.

In other early action in the AL on Thursday:

Oakland 8, Chicago White Sox 5: Turns out Ichiro isn’t the only Suzuki in the AL West capable of doing damage with his bat. Kurt Suzuki, who’s unrelated to the Mariners’ star, homered to left-centerfield in the top of the 10th inning, sending the Athletics to victory. The A’s paid -138. Suzuki, a catcher, has only been a regular in Oakland since July 16, when Jason Kendall was traded to the Cubs. It was his second homer in as many days and fourth overall.

Los Angeles Angels 4, Toronto 3: Kelvim Escobar (13-6) beat his old team as he allowed one run on five hits over seven innings, leading the Angels to a road win that paid their backers -123. Gary Matthews Jr. homered and L.A. reached 70 wins on the year.

For complete MLB odds for Friday, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.