DETROIT, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Fernando Rodney finished off a scoreless four-inning effort from the relief corps Wednesday and Detroit rallied to edge Kansas City 4-3.
The Tigers overcame a 3-0 deficit and stayed 4 1/2 games in front of Minnesota in the American League Central. The Twins have made a race of it in the division, thanks to a four-game winning streak.
Detroit trimmed its deficit to 3-2 in the fourth on an RBI single by Curtis Granderson and a run-scoring double by Adam Everett.
A single by Granderson and a double by Gerald Laird put runners on second and third in the sixth and an infield single by Everett brought in Granderson with the tying run. Placido Polanco then singled to deliver Laird with the go-ahead tally.
The comeback made a winner out of Zach Miner (7-5), the first of four Detroit relievers. He was followed by Bobby Seay, Brandon Lyon and Rodney, who collected his 33rd save.
The loss went to starter Lenny DiNardo (0-1), who gave up four runs on nine hits in 5 1/3.
Before the Tigers batted in the third inning, Detroit Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell made an emotional speech to the crowd, thanking the fans and players for their support during his tenure with the team. Harwell, who last broadcast a Detroit game in 2002, has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer.
Players from both teams came onto the field while Harwell addressed the fans.
