Cabrera's go-ahead two-run single snaps ChiSox's seven-game win streak

DETROIT (AP) -- Nate Robertson was satisfied with his solid performance against the Chicago White Sox.

Robertson allowed three runs in six-plus innings, and Miguel Cabrera's go-ahead two-run single in the fifth inning helped the Detroit Tigers snap the White Sox's seven-game winning streak with a 6-4 victory Tuesday night.

"It always comes down to one at-bat in my outings," Robertson said. "Tonight, in critical situations, I got a couple of outs."

Chicago's A.J. Pierzynski said the key to Robertson's success was simple.

"He made his pitches, got us behind in the counts and made us swing," Pierzynski said.

Robertson (4-6) scattered eight hits in 6 1/3 innings for the win. Todd Jones pitched a scoreless ninth for his 11th save in as many chances.

Trailing 2-1, the Tigers scored three times in the fifth off Jose Contreras (6-4) to take a lead they wouldn't give up. Brent Clevlen, Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco hit consecutive singles to lead off the inning, and Clevlen scored on center fielder Nick Swisher's error.

Two outs later, Cabrera singled to center to drive in Granderson and Polanco. Cabrera was batting only .226 (12-for-53) in the previous 14 games.

"He's a very important part of this team," Polanco said of Cabrera. "To see him swinging the bat the way he is is a good sign."

Clevlen's RBI single in the sixth made it 5-2, and Magglio Ordonez added a run-scoring infield single in the seventh.

Robertson was replaced by Freddy Dolsi with one out and the bases loaded in the seventh. A run scored on Alexei Ramirez's run-scoring grounder and Orlando Cabrera flied out to end the inning.

"We were just one hit away from winning this game," Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said.

Dolsi balked in a run, but Clevlen threw out Carlos Quentin at the plate from left field on Jim Thome's single in the eighth.

"If I came up and fielded it cleanly and made a good throw, I felt I had a chance to get him at the plate," Clevlen said.

Robertson said word will get around about Clevlen's arm.

"I think the scouting reports will improve on him, sending guys home," Robertson said. "Clevlen has got a great arm and he's very accurate with it."

Tigers manager Jim Leyland called it "a game-saving play."

Thome gave Chicago a 1-0 lead with his 13th homer in the second inning.

Pierzynski's two-out RBI single in the third made it 2-0.

Jeff Larish's run-scoring single in the fourth put Detroit on the scoreboard, making it 2-1.

Contreras gave up six runs and 13 hits in six-plus innings, walking one and striking out one.

Game notes
The Tigers sent struggling Dontrelle Willis down to Single A on Tuesday, hoping the former star lefty can find his control. Detroit optioned Willis to Lakeland of the Florida State League -- and home to the Tigers' spring training camp -- a day after he matched a career high by giving eight earned runs on five walks and three hits in 1 1/3 innings against Cleveland. Willis (0-1) has walked 21 batters in 11 1/3 innings. ... The White Sox aren't accustomed to losing at Comerica Park. They are 47-29 there and 22-10 since 2005.