DETROIT – Ivan Rodriguez’s three-run homer in the third inning gave Detroit a six-run lead, and some strong defensive plays helped the Tigers hold on for an 8-7 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Gary Sheffield hit a solo homer in the seventh, helping Detroit win the first two games of a three-game series between last year’s World Series teams. The homer was the 463rd of Sheffield’s career, moving him past Jose Canseco for 30th on baseball’s all-time list.

Tigers closer Todd Jones gave up pinch-hitter Aaron Miles’ two-out single in the ninth to make it 8-6. Scott Spiezio followed with an RBI double and Albert Pujols was intentionally walked, putting Scott Rolen at the plate with bases loaded.

Jones got Rolen to pop up to third baseman Brandon Inge to end it for his 14th save in 16 chances.

Nate Robertson (4-3) allowed two runs, six hits and four walks for the victory. Wilfredo Ledezma replaced him and struggled, allowing two runs and two hits while getting only one out. Tim Byrdak followed and allowed a run over 1 1-3 innings. Fernando Rodney allowed a hit in 1 1-3 innings.

Anthony Reyes (0-7) had another rough outing, giving up seven runs and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings for the Cardinals.

The Tigers got off to a good start offensively for the second straight game – and needed the cushion because St. Louis rallied to make the game competitive after losing the series opener 14-4.

Carlos Guillen’s single put Detroit ahead 2-0 in the first inning and Curtis Granderson’s RBI double added a run to the lead in the second.

Rodriguez sent a low, breaking pitch over the left-field wall to put the Tigers ahead 6-0 in the third.

The Cardinals cut into the deficit with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings and would’ve scored more if Detroit didn’t make plays with their gloves and arms.

Yadier Molina’s RBI double in the fourth made it 6-1 and the hit would’ve driven in another run had Inge not made a sensational play. Inge robbed Juan Encarnacion of a single with a diving stop in the hole and a throw to first to lead off the inning.

Molina’s single in the next inning brought home another run, but Pujols was also thrown out by left fielder Craig Monroe.

In the seventh – when St. Louis trailed by two runs – So Taguchi was caught stealing on Rodriguez’s throw to second.

Notes: Tigers LHP Kenny Rogers has taken one more step toward his hopes of returning to the rotation in June, a month ahead of schedule. “I threw off the mound for the first time yesterday,” Rogers said Saturday. “I felt good and I feel good today.” Rogers had surgery in early April to remove a blood clot from his pitching shoulder. “It was scary,” he said. “Then, the really hard part was following doctor’s orders to not do anything for a few weeks.” … Detroit is optimistic that RHP Jeremy Bonderman (on the DL with a blister) will make his next scheduled start Thursday. … In Game 1 of the World Series last year, Reyes retired 17 consecutive batters before giving up a seventh-inning single and pitched eight-plus innings to help the Cardinals win 7-2 at Detroit.

AP-ES-05-19-07 2217EDT