Pudge rallies slumping Tigs to home win

Detroit Tigers' Ivan Rodriguez, right, slides in ahead of the ball thrown to Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer to break a tie and take a 10-9 lead in the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 14, 2008, in Detroit. Rodriguez scored from third base on a sacrifice fly hit by Jacque Jones. The Tigers beat the Twins, 11-9. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

DETROIT—Ivan Rodriguez hit a tying two-run triple in a six-run eighth inning then scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to lift the high-priced Detroit Tigers to their first win at home this season, 11-9 over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night.

The Tigers won for the first time in seven games at home and improved to 3-10 overall, still the worst record in baseball.

Detroit's much-hyped lineup finally came through, leading to a season high in runs, just when it seemed that the team's miserable season was going to take another turn for the worse.

Trailing 9-5, the Tigers scored six runs in the eighth inning. Placido Polanco, mired in an awful slump, drove in the final run to give Todd Jones a two-run cushion.

Jones almost needed it, putting two on with two outs before earning his second save.

Francis Beltran (1-0) gave up a hit and a walk in the eighth.

Matt Guerrier didn't take the loss, but he made Detroit's comeback possible by giving up five runs -- four earned -- and five hits in just 1 1-3 innings. Pat Neshek (0-1) allowed two runs in the eighth.

Justin Morneau, one of four Twins to drive in two runs, hit a two-run single to help the Twins score four in the seventh to take a 9-4 lead.

It wasn't enough.

Rodriguez hit a solo homer in the home half -- off right fielder Denard Span's glove. In the eighth, Magglio Ordonez hit an RBI double and Carlos Guillen had an RBI single before Rodriguez hit his two-run triple.

Minnesota starter Nick Blackburn gave up eight hits and four runs over 5 2-3 innings.

Jeremy Bonderman allowed seven runs -- four earned -- eight hits, two walks and struck out five over 6 1-3 innings. His replacement wasn't much better. Bobby Seay gave up three hits and two runs, getting the last two outs of the seventh.

Notes:@ Detroit CF Curtis Granderson, who on the DL, is expected to take batting practice Tuesday. ... Tigers RHP Fernando Rodney is scheduled to have Dr. James Andrews examine his injured shoulder Wednesday. ... Minnesota's Delmon Young, Jason Kubel and Brendan Harris had two RBIs each. ... The Tigers sold 32,000 tickets for the game, but only several thousand fans stuck around to see the comeback.