MLB: Detroit 4, Tampa Bay 3

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Fernando Rodney retired the final batter with the potential winning run on second Friday, allowing Detroit to escape with a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay.

The score was deadlocked at 1-1 going into the ninth, during which the teams combined to score five times.

Detroit won its fourth straight and increased its lead in the American League Central to six games over Minnesota.

The Tigers took the lead in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by Adam Everett. Curtis Granderson then drove in another run with a base hit and a sacrifice fly by Placido Polanco delivered what turned out to be the winning run.

Those three runs made a winner out of Detroit starter Justin Verlander (16-7), who gave up a run on four hits over eight innings.

Rodney came on to protect the lead in the ninth, but walked two batters and gave up a run-scoring single to Carlos Pena. After getting Pat Burrell on strikes for the second out of the inning, Rodney allowed an RBI double to Evan Longoria.

With runners on second and third, Rodney then retired Willy Aybar on a grounder to first. It was Rodney's 32nd save.

J.P. Howell (7-5), who gave up the first Detroit run in the ninth, took the loss.