The Tigers survived a three-run Boston rally in the ninth inning and held on to beat the Red Sox, 6-5 at Tiger Stadium tonight.
It was the first time the Tigers (23-33) won consecutive games at home since May 9-10.
Ron LeFlore (4) and Dan Meyer (7) slugged home runs for Detroit, who had six extra-base hits on the night. LeFlore's led off the first inning, and Meyer's two-run shot extended the Tigers' lead to 6-2 in the seventh.
Jim Rice smacked a two-run homer for Boston.
Things got dicey in the ninth, as the Red Sox put the first three men on base and scored three times, leaving the tying run on base when Doug Griffin struck out against John Hiller to end the game.
Hiller's save was his 13th, ensuring the win for Mickey Lolich (6-7).
Lolich pitched two batters into the ninth, but couldn't get his fourth complete game of the season.
"It would have been flat out irresponsible of me to leave Mickey in there," manager Ralph Houk said. "He was clearly tired and he deserved to win."
Hiller came on with runners on second and third and nobody out. Rice greeted him with a single that scored both runners when Leon Roberts bobbled the ball in right field.
LeFlore had three hits (single, double, HR), scored a run and had two RBI
Fred Lynn grounded out, then Rico Petrocelli singled to send Rice to third. Dwight Evans hit the ball back to Hiller, but the Tigers couldn't complete the double play and Rice scored, causing the crowd of 21,145 to squirm in their seats. But Hiller settled down to fan Griffin on a 2-2 fastball.
LeFlore had three hits and two RBI. Gary Sutherland, returning to his starting spot at second base after missing a week with a sore hand, had two hits and an RBI.
Lolich allowed seven hits, struck out five and walked only one.
Royal Oak native Jim Burton started for Boston and went five innings. Meyer's homer came off Reggie Cleveland, who relieved Burton.
The Tigers are now 10-20 at home and improved to 2-4 on their current 12-game home stand.
"We just have to play better at home," Lolich said. "We still have a lot of games left on this home stand, so we can maybe get back into the race."
Beating first-place Boston two more times in this series will address that.
Notes: The Tigers played their first game after the sale of 1B Nate Colbert to Montreal, which occurred after Saturday's game. Mickey Stanley started at first base tonight and went 0-for-4...Houk, on Colbert: "He just didn't get it going. His back flared up on him and that didn't help. The doctors in Montreal think he'll be fine in a few weeks. We wish him well."...Tonight's win was the Tigers' first over Boston in five tries this season...The Tigers have committed 55 errors this season, by far the most in the majors.
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Tigers record: 23-33 (actual 25-31)
Home: 10-20
Away: 13-13
Last 10: 4-6
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