OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Fernando Rodney struck out Adam Kennedy in the ninth Friday with the tying run on third, allowing Detroit to hold on for a 3-2 win over Oakland.
The Tigers increased their lead over the Chicago White Sox to 3 1/2 games in the American League Central.
Ryan Raburn twice gave Detroit the lead with solo homers, one in the first and another in the third.
Clete Thomas singled in a run in the sixth to give the Tigers a 3-1 advantage, and Oakland climbed within one on an RBI double by Rajai Davis in the seventh.
Edwin Jackson, who allowed both Oakland runs in six innings, got the win, but he and the Tigers needed a scary save from Rodney.
Jack Cust singled off Rodney to lead off the ninth, and Tommy Everidge sacrificed Cust to second. A groundout by Nomar Garciaparra advanced Cust to third, but Kennedy struck out to end the contest and bring Rodney his 26th save.
Gio Gonzalez (4-4) took the loss, surrendering three runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings.
