At this time one week ago, the Detroit Tigers were feeling pretty good about themselves.
They had been in first place in the AL East for two months and were coming off a week in which they won five of seven games and hit 19 home runs.Seven days later, things look a whole lot different.
The Tigers lost every game they played last week, getting swept in three-game series at Baltimore and Boston. The team that entered the weekend averaging 6.1 runs per game scored just two runs on four occasions last week and was outscored 29-8 in the Boston series.
First place now belongs to Toronto. The Tigers are two games back and perhaps fading fast.
"You want to remain positive and hope things work their way out," said Kirk Gibson, mired in a 1-for-25 slump. "Right now, we'd like to win against anyone."
Detroit, coming off an 8-2 loss Sunday, opens a three-game set at New York tonight. Then the Tigers start a 22-game stretch against AL West teams.
Boston's win was its sixth straight following a stretch in which they lost 16 of 19.
"Right now we look as good as any team in the league," said Mike Greenwell, who belted a three-run homer Sunday and is 15 for 33 during his nine-game hitting streak. "Last week we might have looked as bad as any team in the league."
Blue Jays 5, Brewers 4
At Milwaukee, John Olerud went 3 for 3 to raise his average to .405 and Jack Morris took a no-hitter into the seventh, leading Toronto to victory in the deciding game of the series.
Morris improved to 5-7.
Bill Wegman (4-13) suffered his sixth straight loss.
White Sox 6, Mariners 4
At Chicago, Frank Thomas hit a two-run homer and extended his hitting streak to 17 games - two short of his career-best.
Yankees 9, Orioles 5
At Baltimore, the Yankees ended Baltimore's six-game winning streak and kept the Orioles from tying the club record of 12 straight home victories.
Twins 2, Angels 0
At Minneapolis, Jim Deshaies (9-5) pitched eight innings of four-hit ball but didn't get a chance to throw Minnesota's first complete game of the year. Rick Aguilera finished for his 21st save.
Indians 3, Royals 2
At Cleveland, Reggie Jefferson's home run with one out in the ninth gave Cleveland a sweep of its three-game series and made a loser of David Cone.
Rangers 4, Athletics 0
At Arlington, Texas, Kevin Brown pitched a five-hitter to win for the first time since June 4 and Texas hit three home runs off former Ranger Bobby Witt.