Granderson's RBI single lifts Tigers past Devil Rays in 13

DETROIT (AP) -- The lights went out, and then the Detroit Tigers turned it on.

Elias Says
The Tigers trailed the Devil Rays by two runs going to the last of the ninth inning, but they scored two in the ninth and then one in the 13th to win 4-3. It was the fourth time this season that Detroit has won a game in which it trailed going to the ninth, tying Atlanta for the most wins of that type in the majors. • For more Elias Says, Click here.

Curtis Granderson's RBI single scored Brandon Inge in the 13th inning to give Detroit a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Monday night. The Tigers have won three straight, improving to a major league-best 41-23.

"We're having a lot of fun, and that's the biggest thing we have going for us," Granderson said. "We know we're still playing a game."

The 25-year-old Granderson was 4-for-6 with a walk, two RBI and a run.

"This kid is a jewel," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said.

Before the Tigers batted in the ninth -- trailing 3-1 -- there was a five-minute delay because many of the lights in the outfield went out because of a computer malfunction, the team said.

Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon agreed it was safe for the game to continue, though he was concerned about whether his outfielders could see and whether closer Tyler Walker could endure the wait.

Pinch-hitter Carlos Guillen drew a leadoff walk and scored on Granderson's single. Placido Polanco's RBI single to right past a drawn-in infield made it 3-all.

"We're never out of it -- no matter how much we're down or what inning it is," Polanco said.

Brian Meadows (1-1) entered in the 11th, and it looked as though he was about to get his second out in the 13th when shortstop Julio Lugo made a throwing error on Inge's grounder. Inge reached second and Granderson followed with a single to center.

"It was a tough ending after everything that had happened, but Lugie's been playing great," Maddon said. "Stuff like that happens."

In the ninth, the Tigers had the potential winning run on second with none out, but the game went to extra innings after Walker struck out two and got a lineout. He gave up two runs and three hits over two innings.

Walker wouldn't use the lights going out as an excuse but did note another technical difficulty at Comerica Park, which opened in 2000.

"The phone didn't work in the bullpen," he said. "I guess they are starting to find the glitches in this place."

Fernando Rodney gave up only one hit and one walk and matched a career high with a three-inning outing.

Todd Jones (1-4) pitched two scoreless innings for the win.

"The thing that goes unnoticed is the bullpen kept giving us an opportunity," Leyland said.

Tampa Bay's setback came after Scott Kazmir threw five scoreless innings. Jorge Cantu and Lugo each hit a solo homer.

Kazmir gave up four hits and two walks while striking out three. Travis Harper and Shawn Camp combined for three strong innings, with Harper giving up an unearned run.

"The bullpen did a great job, and Kaz was good," Maddon said. "His pitch count just got up there for five innings, so we had to get him out of there. The pitching staff was wonderful."

Short Hops
Pitching's future was on display Monday night as two of the best young arms in baseball went head to head in Detroit. Scott Kazmir and Justin Verlander were both quite impressive, though neither was around when the game was decided. To read more Monday night Short Hops, click here.

Detroit's Justin Verlander gave up two runs and three hits with three walks in six innings.

Cantu's homer in the first and sacrifice fly in the sixth put Tampa Bay ahead 2-0.

The Tigers pulled within one in the seventh -- on an unearned run off Harper -- after Granderson drew a two-out walk.

Polanco's double down the right-field line got past Damon Hollins, who had just been moved from center to right, allowing Granderson to score on the error after being stopped by third base coach Gene Lamont.

Lugo gave the Devil Rays another two-run cushion with his homer off Roman Colon in the eighth.

Game notes
Kazmir is two strikeouts from becoming the 23rd left-hander to reach 300 Ks before turning 23. ... Rodney lasted three innings for the fourth time in his career. ... The Tigers drew 16,302 after averaging 33,393 during the previous homestand against Cleveland, the New York Yankees and Boston. ... Both starters were replaced after throwing 98 pitches. ... In Sunday's win at Kansas City, the Devil Rays became the first team since 1940 to hit six home runs and hit into a triple play in one game. ... Tampa Bay played its longest game since a 13-inning contest on the same date last year, a game it won at Pittsburgh. ... The Tigers played their longest game since also playing 13 innings last August, when they beat Toronto.