Soon the speculation will start on left-hander Kenny Rogers, if it hasn't already.

Rogers, 43, has been roughed up since the All-Star break, and Thursday marked his shortest start of the season when he had to come out in the third inning after the first four batters he faced all singled.

Manager Jim Leyland hints that Rogers, who had a strained leg muscle in his last start, might be fighting through an injury. Rogers, as is typical, declined to offer any excuses.

The Tigers are not likely to offer him a contract, given his age, the way he's been hit the last two months and because they're already paying big money to two left-handed pitchers (Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis) who are having disappointing seasons.

Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees are struggling to get back into the playoff race while the Los Angeles Angels are closing in on another postseason berth. Scott Kazmir allowed one hit in six scoreless innings, and Tampa Bay's bullpen weathered ninth-inning home runs by Rodriguez and Derek Jeter to hang on for a 7-5 victory Thursday night.

The Tigers won't get into Minnesota until midday Friday, after the Republican National Convention has left the Twin Cities and the hotels are no longer packed. The way the Twins have roughed up Armando Galarraga this year, he won't mind the delay.

Mark Teixeira and Juan Rivera hit RBI doubles in the first two innings before five straight Angels singles set up a four-run third, allowing Ervin Santana to take care of the rest for a 7-1 Detroit loss Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park.

The Los Angeles Angels showed the Detroit Tigers what playoff teams look like. Torii Hunter homered to back Ervin Santana, and the Angels beat the Tigers 7-1 Thursday to cut their magic number to six for clinching their fourth AL West title in five seasons. Santana (15-5) struck out eight in 7 1-3 innings, allowing one run and six hits.

It didn't take long for Dusty Ryan to impress, even before he played in his first Major League game. The youngster displayed his power in batting practice.

Curtis Granderson saw the remarks of his manager, Jim Leyland, proclaiming him a good enough hitter in RBI situations to bat in the middle of the order. But the Tigers' leadoff man isn't going to make too much of it at this point.

Mike Hessman is 30 years old and a career Minor Leaguer. But he got a chance to show his wares on Wednesday night, and that will lead to him getting another start at third base on Thursday.

The Curtis Granderson-led Tigers rallied late against the Angels bullpen to win a back-and-forth affair on a rainy night in Detroit.

The Curtis Granderson-led Tigers rallied late against the Angels bullpen to win a back-and-forth affair on a rainy night in Detroit.