DETROIT WINS SIXTH STRAIGHT, LEADS AL CENTRAL BY THREE

When Edwin Jackson came to Detroit in the offseason, the Tigers knew the former Tampa Bay pitcher would be a solid addition to their starting rotation. The 25-year-old Jackson proved as much May 21 as he battled to a 3-2 home win over the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park.

Jackson fought his way through an eight-inning, 132-pitch effort for Detroit’s sixth consecutive win, which gave the Tigers a 23-16 record and a three-game lead over the Kansas City Royals in the American League Central Division standings. Miguel Cabrera’s RBI single in the bottom of the eighth gave Detroit a 3-2 lead, and Fernando Rodney held the Rangers scoreless in the ninth to save the win.

Elsewhere in the American League, Toronto still leads the East Division at 27-16. Boston is second at 24-16, and the New York Yankees have won eight straight to improve to 23-17. In the AL West, Texas is still on top at 23-17 despite losing to Detroit, while the Los Angeles Angels are 20-19.