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Tigers aim for fifth consecutive victory

Sep 27, 2006 - 3:13 PM Toronto (83-74) at Detroit (95-64) 7:05 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) -- After showing signs of wear down the stretch, the Detroit Tigers are building momentum heading into their first postseason appearance in 19 years.

The Tigers look to record their first five-game winning streak since the end of June when they host the second of three games against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Detroit posted a 4-3 triumph in Tuesday's series opener, maintaining a one-game lead over Minnesota in the race for supremacy in the American League Central Division. The Tigers have held at least a share of first place every day since May 16 despite going 25-27 since the beginning of August.

Tied with the New York Yankees for the best record in the majors, the Tigers give the ball to Nate Robertson (13-12, 3.66 ERA). In his last five starts, Robertson has gone 2-2 with a 1.54 ERA.

Since the beginning of August, Detroit has scored three runs or fewer in eight of 10 games started by Robertson. As a result, the lefthander has gone just 3-6 despite a respectable 3.26 ERA in that span.

The Blue Jays counter with Ted Lilly (14-13, 4.41), who has gone 4-1 with a 4.34 ERA in six starts against teams from the AL Central this season. The one loss came against the Tigers on June 10, when he was charged with five runs despite allowing just three hits and recording 12 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings of a 5-3 setback.

After winning his previous three starts, Lilly allowed five runs - two earned - and five hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 7-1 loss to Boston on Friday. The lefthander remains in search of his first career 15-win season.