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Monroe's slam lifts Tigers to extra innings win

Apr 12, 2007 - 5:08 AM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Craig Monroe had seen enough zeros for one game.

Monroe's two-out grand slam in the top of the 12th inning broke a scoreless tie and propelled the Detroit Tigers to a 4-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

The game, which lasted 3 hours and 42 minutes, saw 24 runners left on base - 13 by the Tigers - and 13 pitchers used.

Ivan Rodriguez led off the 12th inning with a single off Kurt Birkins (0-1), the Orioles' eighth pitcher of the game. Birkins got a pair of flyouts and appeared to be on his way to escaping. However, an infield single by Magglio Ordonez and a walk to Carlos Guillen set the stage for Monroe, who drove a 1-1 pitch over the center field wall.

"It felt good. It felt good to take a swing. I enjoy being those situations," Monroe said. "I can be a clutch hitter."

In his last five games, Monroe is 7-for-18, and on Wednesday had three hits- just a triple shy of a cycle.

"It was a changeup. I was able to stay through it."

Birkins was the eighth Orioles pitcher and freely admitted he didn't throw the pitch he wanted.

"I threw one too many changeups," he said. "I left the last one night. I got hit hard by a good hitter."

Wilfredo Ledezma (1-0) pitched a scoreless 10th and 11th innings to earn the win. Todd Jones picked up his fifth save of the season, recording the final out of the game after replacing Bobby Seay, who balked to allow Corey Patterson to score.

Both teams wasted strong performances from their starting pitchers.

"We pitched very well. They pitched very well," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "That was a real tough game."

Detroit's Justin Verlander - the 2006 American League Rookie of the Year - tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and four walks while striking out five. The Orioles loaded the bases against Verlander with two outs in the second inning, but Brian Roberts flew out to end the inning.

"It was a great night for me and the team," Verlander said. "I kept the team in the game. I don't care if I give up 10 and get the win or give up nine and get a no-decision."

Baltimore starter Adam Loewen pitched five scoreless innings, yielding five hits and four walks. He struck out four.

"We thought Adam was just a little bit erratic in the strike zone, but he made good pitches when he had to," Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo said.