Tigers Attack Orioles In 11th

Held in check by the Baltimore bullpen for six innings, the Detroit Tigers finally broke through in a big way.

Tony Clark singled in the tiebreaking run as Detroit batted around in the 11th inning and beat the Orioles 5-2 Sunday to gain a split of the four-game series.

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the fourth, then managed only two hits over the next six innings. In the 11th, however, they finally showed the form that had enabled them to average 5.7 runs over their previous 18 games.

"Their bullpen did a whale of a job," Detroit manager Larry Parrish said. "They kept us at five hits it seemed like forever."

The Tigers got their fifth hit with one out in the seventh and didn't get another until Damion Easley hit a leadoff single off Scott Kamieniecki (1-4) in the 11th.

Dean Palmer was then hit on the hand with a pitch before Clark singled to left. Although the throw from B.J. Surhoff was on time, catcher Charles Johnson dropped the ball in the collision at the plate.

Juan Encarnacion followed with a single to center and Palmer scored when Brady Anderson misplayed the ball for his first error of the season. One out later, Cruz drove in a run with a squeeze bunt.

"Well, our bullpen held them for six innings, but we didn't come up wit the big hit," Baltimore manager Ray Miller said. "We battled, but we just couldn't get anything done offensively."

The Orioles' only runs came on a two-run homer by Delino DeShields in the seventh.

"In the eighth and ninth innings, we've been pretty good this year. It's the seventh inning that's been our nemesis," said Parrish, whose team has been outscored 100-65 in the seventh.

Doug Brocail (4-3) pitched three shutout innings and Todd Jones got three outs for his 17th save.

Anderson had three hits and Albert Belle hit two doubles for the Orioles, who have lost nine of 13.

Held scoreless on six hits by Brian Moehler through the first six innings, Baltimore made it 2-2 in the seventh. Jeff Conine beat out a slow roller and DeShields followed with a 420-foot shot to right, his fifth homer of the season and first since May 22.

"That's one of the few that came back over the plate," Moehler said. "I'd like to have that one back."

The drive was the 22nd in the eight-year history of Camden Yards to land on Eutaw Street. It was also DeShields' first home run this year with a man on base.

Belle opened the Baltimore eighth with a double, but was cut down trying to tag up on a perfect throw by rookie right fielder Gabe Kapler, who was inserted as a defensive replacement one inning earlier.

"I'm a genius for a day," Parrish said with a grin.

"I need to be able to contribute to the Tigers winning," Kapler said. "If I can do that, then I'm satisfied."

Ricky Bones retired the first seven Detroit batters, getting the first pitch over for a strike each time, before Cruz hit a 1-0 slider over the center-field wall. It was his seventh homer of the season and the fourth in 21 games since the All-Star break.

The Tigers made it 2-0 in the fourth and chased Bones, who was making his second start since filling the void in the rotation left by the July 31 trade of Juan Guzman. Brad Ausmus walked, stole second and scored on a single by Encarnacion, ending Bones' day after only 54 pitches.

"I respect the decision he made. He's the boss, he's the manager," Bones said. "The bullpen came back and did the job."

Ntes