Rookie tames sliding Tigers

CLEVELAND — Rookie Jeremy Sowers won his third straight start with six solid innings, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 4-2 win over the suddenly staggering Detroit Tigers on Friday night.

Sowers (6-3) gave up two runs in the second inning, but blanked baseball's best team for the next four as the Indians snapped a four-game losing streak to Detroit. Cleveland is just 5-12 against the Tigers this season.

Detroit, which entered the weekend leading the AL Central by 5 1/2 games, has lost three straight, six of eight, and is just 5-12 since Aug. 8 — when the Tigers led their division by 10.

The Tigers had five hits through the first two innings, but managed only one hit and one baserunner over the final seven, an infield single by Omar Infante in the fourth.

Making his first career start against Detroit, the 23-year-old Sowers allowed two runs and six hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out four. The left-hander is 5-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his past seven starts.

BLUE JAYS 6, ROYALS 3: At Toronto, rookie Shaun Marcum rebounded from the worst start of his young career with six strong innings, leading Toronto. Marcum (2-3), who allowed nine runs in a 15-0 loss to Baltimore in his last start on Aug. 19, won for the first time in six games. He allowed just one run and seven hits, while striking out four and walking two.

Kansas City dropped to 46-84 with the loss. Earlier Friday, the Royals said outfielder Reggie Sanders will undergo knee surgery, ending his disappointing first season with Kansas City.

B.J. Ryan got the final out for his 29th save in 33 chances.

Kansas City starter Luke Hudson (6-5) gave up six runs — five earned — and 10 hits in six innings.

ORIOLES 4, TAMPA BAY 0: At Baltimore, Daniel Cabrera pitched seven innings of four-hit ball, and Baltimore dealt Tampa Bay its eighth straight road loss. Ramon Hernandez drove in a run and scored twice for the Orioles, who have won six of nine. Cabrera (7-8) struck out seven, walked three and allowed only one runner past second base. He has thrown 16 straight scoreless innings, including a five-hit shutout of Toronto on Saturday.

The right-hander is 3-1 since returning from the minors on Aug. 8, allowing just one run in the three wins. Chris Ray got the final five outs for his 30th save.

Rocco Baldelli had two hits and a walk for the Devil Rays, who are 1-16 on the road since the All-Star break.