DETROIT -- Miguel Cabrera left the batters box with a bit of a hop in his step while his drive to right field sailed over the wall. Allen Lazard Jersey . "A long time, I had not hit a home run," the slugger said. Cabreras solo shot in the sixth inning was his 44th of the year, but his first since Aug. 26. It was perhaps the most encouraging highlight for Detroit in a 6-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night that kept the Tigers six games ahead of second-place Cleveland in the AL Central. Detroits magic number to eliminate the Indians is six. Ahead 3-2, the Tigers escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth while playing without closer Joaquin Benoit and left-handed reliever Drew Smyly. They were both given the night off. "We need everybody here on our ballclub," Cabrera said. "I think everybody here stepped up tonight and did their jobs. Its what we need to still win our games, what we need if we go to the playoffs." Anibal Sanchez struck out 10 in 6 1-3 innings, but the Mariners tied it at 2 against him in the seventh, forcing Detroits relievers into action. Al Alburquerque (3-3) got out of the seventh, and Phil Coke and Jose Alvarez made it through a dodgy eighth. Alvarez got two outs in the ninth, and Jose Veras finished. Yoervis Medina (4-6) took the loss. The Mariners have dropped eight of nine. Cabrera has been bothered by a number of injuries that have affected his legs and midsection, so his opposite-field solo shot was a welcome sight for the Comerica Park crowd. It gave Detroit a 2-1 lead, but pinch-hitter Kendrys Morales tied it with an RBI double in the seventh. Alex Avila led off the bottom of the seventh with his first triple of the year, and after Jose Iglesias was hit by a pitch, Avila was caught in a rundown between third and home on Jacksons grounder. Avila stayed in the rundown long enough to enable Iglesias to go all the way from first to third, and Torii Hunters sacrifice fly put the Tigers ahead 3-2. They werent safe yet, though. With Benoit and Smyly unavailable, Coke walked two hitters, sandwiched around an error by Iglesias at shortstop. Alvarez came on with the bases loaded and got Mike Zunino to hit into a double play that kept the Tigers ahead. "Obviously, I was trying for a groundball," Alvarez said. "That was a good AB for the hitter -- a couple good pitches foul. ... If we dont make the play in that situation, it costs us the game maybe, but we make it and we take the win." Zunino drew two walks but couldnt come through in what was probably the biggest at-bat of the game. "I was just trying to battle and get the ball to the outfield," he said. "Im sure I saw every pitch he had, and I was keeping myself alive, but I just didnt do what I needed to do. A groundball was the worst thing in the world right there, and they turned two on me." Omar Infante added an RBI single in the bottom of the inning, and Austin Jacksons two-run single made it 6-2. Sanchez allowed six hits and two walks in 6 1-3 innings. His American League-leading ERA is now at 2.51. He threw 125 pitches. "Im not tired, more frustrated that I got the lead twice today and I dont keep the score," Sanchez said. "But at the end we win. Thats the most important thing." Don Kellys fourth-inning homer put Detroit ahead 1-0, but Raul Ibanez tied it in the sixth with his 28th homer of the year. Seattle starter Brandon Maurer pitched five-plus innings, allowing two runs and five hits. He walked two and struck out six. "I thought Maurer was much better today than hes been," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. "Hes struggled lately, and he was pitching at this time of year against that team, but he didnt let any of that get to him. He kept his emotions in check and did a very nice job." NOTES: Detroit manager Jim Leyland said DH Victor Martinez will catch Thursdays game. ... Detroit RHP Justin Verlander (13-11) faces Seattle RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (12-6) on Wednesday night. Cal Hubbard Jersey . - Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte sees the commitment to the handoff and cant help but come away impressed. Brett Favre Jersey .7 million, one-year contract.The deal, announced Friday, includes a $50,000 performance bonus if the left-hander appears in 60 games.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The New York Giants continued making over their offensive line with the signing of former Miami Dolphins guard John Jerry on Friday. Jerry became the third offensive lineman signed by the team since the free agency signing period began, joining guard Jeff Schwartz and centre J.D. Walton. The team lost veteran David Diehl to retirement and waived centre David Baas. Left tackle Will Beatty is coming offf a broken leg suffered in the final game of the regular season and Chris Snee was hampered by hip and elbow injuries for most of last season. Cecil Isbell Jersey. The 6-foot-5, 335-pound Jerry started all 16 games last season for the Dolphins and played in 57 games over four seasons for Miami. Jerry was among the names included in a report on the investigation of bullying which focused on Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin. ' ' '
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