By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com

Tigers 5, Rays 1– The Tigers scored five late runs to complete a four-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon.

LSJ Logo incertDetroit, which is currently on a six game winning streak, scored three runs in the eighth inning and two in the ninth to overcome a 1-0 deficit.

Ian Kinsler paced the Tigers with a double, his 200th career home run and two RBIs. Justin Upton added a two-run double while Victor Martinez chipped in with an RBI, hustling down the first base line to avoid a double play.Eye on the D

Detroit’s starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey took a no-decision despite having a strong outing. He allowed one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Bruce Rondon picked up the victory for the Tigers, getting out of a bases loaded one out jam in the seventh inning.

The Rays lone run was scored in the fifth inning on an RBI double by Curt Casali.

The Tigers are now 44-38 on the season, good for second place in the American League Central Division behind the first-place Cleveland Indians. They are currently tied with the Toronto Blue Jays for the last wild card playoff spot.

Detroit will open a three-game set on the road against the first-place Indians starting on Monday night.

Record: 44-38

2nd Place in AL Central Division (5.5 games behind first-place Cleveland)

Tied with Toronto for last Wild Card spot

Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 81

Magic # to clinch an AL Central Division title: 87

Next Game: 07/04/2016 @ Cleveland Indians 7:05 p.m. @ Progressive Field

Hitting stats: Ian Kinsler 2B (17) HR (16) 2 RBI (52), Justin Upton 2B (17) 2 RBI (36), Victor Martinez RBI (50).

Pitching stats: Bruce Rondon W (2-0) .2 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 1 K, Mike Pelfrey 6.1 IP 6 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 3 K.