--RHP Zach Miner battled a little wildness but was effective through five innings before weakening in the sixth. 

MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Todd Jones (right shoulder tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list July 31. 

When the Tampa Bay Rays dropped their last seven games before the All-Star break, critics of the upstart club thought it might be the beginning of the end of perhaps the biggest surprise of the 2008 season. 

Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria hit solo homers and Tampa Bay's bullpen limited Detroit to one hit over the last 4 1-3 innings, helping the AL East-leading Rays beat the Tigers 5-2 on Friday night. 

The Tampa Bay Rays are counting on Carlos Pena's bat to help them stay in the pennant race. 

On the day Kyle Farnsworth joined the Detroit bullpen, the Tigers found out reliever Todd Jones has tendinitis in his right shoulder. 

Justin Verlander might be a prodigy, but it seems he's a prodigy who still has things to learn. 

--RHP Justin Verlander felt his nine strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings were a little misleading; he felt he wasn't sharp. 

MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Todd Jones (right shoulder tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list July 31. 

Even after the Tampa Bay Rays wrapped up a winning road trip, manager Joe Maddon still feels his team is at its best at home. 

Detroit reliever Todd Jones was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday as the Tigers waited for Kyle Farnsworth to join them. 

Fausto Carmona won for the first time since May 12 and Grady Sizemore had four RBIs, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 9-4 win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. 

Detroit reliever Todd Jones was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday as the Tigers eagerly waited for Kyle Farnsworth to join them. 

Grady Sizemore doesn't mind filling in as Cleveland's designated hitter every now and then. 

For a team in the thick of a playoff race, featuring a soft-tossing, erratic pitcher in the closer role is never a good idea.