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  Tuesday, Sep. 5 7:05pm ET
Tigers' Jones gets AL-best 38th save
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

DETROIT (AP) -- Tony Clark isn't back to the point where he can play an entire game. Still, he's been productive during Detroit's attempt at a stretch run.

Clark hit his first homer since June 28 and Brian Moehler won his sixth straight decision as the Tigers beat Anaheim 7-5 Tuesday night, the Angels' sixth straight loss.

"His first day back he has a couple of RBI, and today a two-run homer that puts us ahead for good," Tigers manager Phil Garner said.

Clark is 5-for-13 with a homer, two doubles and four RBI in five games since coming off a six-week stay on the disabled list caused by back problems.

He homered in the second, then walked and scored in a five-run third that put the Tigers up 7-1.

"Since he's been back he's been doing a good job," Garner said. "He's given us a plus."

Billy McMillon hit a two-run double for the Tigers, who have won five of six to move a season-best three games over .500. Detroit, which started the season 9-23, remained five games behind Cleveland, the AL wild-card leader.

Moehler (12-7) gave up four runs, eight hits and no walks in six innings. He left after the Angels scored three in the sixth to cut Detroit's lead to 7-4.

Adam Kennedy's RBI single off Matt Anderson made it 7-5 in the eighth.

Todd Jones got three outs for his AL-leading 38th save in 41 chances. He also tied John Hiller's 27-year-old club record for single-season saves.

"What's really great is answering questions about the team first and tying Hiller second," Jones said. "We're talking about the postseason."

Scott Spiezio had a two-run triple for the Angels, whose losing streak is their worst of the season. Anaheim is seven games behind Seattle in the AL West and 7½ games back in the wild-card race.

"We're not struggling because of a lack of effort," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Some guys may be trying a little too hard and some guys might be showing signs of the long season. That's why they call 'em the dog days. It's where you have to battle though and hitch up your boots and get after it."

Rookie Matt Wise (3-3) lasted just 2 1/3 innings in his sixth big league start and allowed seven runs on seven hits.

"He had some of the control problems we noticed in his last start," Scioscia said. "He looked like he was pulling his fastball and changeup a little across the plate over the zone, especially to lefties. That's what Clark hit."

Wise easily retired three batters in the first, but eight of the next 11 reached.

"He just didn't really locate his fastball. I think he was a little bit off," Angels catcher Matt Walbeck said. "He wasn't throwing as hard as he has. When you get behind hitters like these guys 1-0, 2-0 and have to come in there, they're going to hurt you. Right now the Tigers are swinging the bat really well."

Kevin Stocker legged out a first-inning triple for Anaheim after center fielder Juan Encarnacion missed a try for a diving catch. Stocker scored on Tim Salmon's two-out infield single.

Dean Palmer led off the second with a double off the left-field wall before Clark hit his 13th home run, a high drive into the Tigers' bullpen in right.

"It was a hanging changeup," Wise said.

Detroit batted around and knocked out Wise in a five-run third. McMillon hit a two-run double, Palmer an RBI single and Encarnacion and Deivi Cruz had sacrifice flies.

Spiezio tripled after singles from Garret Anderson and Troy Glaus and scored on Kennedy's groundout as the Angels made it 7-4 in the sixth.

Game notes
Mo Vaughn went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts. ... OF Juan Gonzalez, ailing from flu-like symptoms, was scratched from the Tigers lineup and is day to day. ... LHP Juan Alvarez and RHP Ben Weber were both recalled from the minors and pitched relief for Anaheim. Alvarez faced only one batter in the third and gave up McMillon's two-run double. Weber allowed one hit in three scoreless innings. ... Moehler hasn't lost since July 28 at Texas.
 


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