Cleveland ? Their big lead in the division has dwindled, their road record has dropped and their confidence is drooping.

The Detroit Tigers, baseball’s best team and warmest story for four months, could be headed for trouble.

Rookie Jeremy Sowers won his third straight start and fifth consecutive decision with six solid innings, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 4-2 win over the suddenly staggering Tigers on Friday night.

Following the game, Detroit manager Jim Leyland told his players they’d better fix things quickly.

His message? “If we want to play in October, we’ve all got to step it up,” he said.

Sowers (6-3) gave up two runs in the second inning, but blanked the AL Central’s top team for the four as the Indians snapped a four-game losing streak to Detroit. Cleveland is just 5-12 against the Tigers this season.

Detroit, which entered the weekend leading second-place Chicago by 5 1â2 games, has lost three straight, six of eight, and is just 5-12 since Aug. 8 – when the Tigers led their division by 10.

The Tigers, who were pounded 10-0 by the White Sox on Thursday, had five hits through the first two innings, but managed only one hit and one baserunner over the final seven, an infield single by Omar Infante in the fourth.

With September just days away, Leyland wants his players to understand that they haven’t accomplished anything yet.

“You’re not going to hope your way in or wish your way in (to the playoffs),” Leyland said. “You have to play your way in. If you want to play in the postseason, you’ve got to close the deal.”

Making his first career start against Detroit, the 23-year-old Sowers allowed two runs and six hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out four. The left-hander is 5-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his past seven starts.

“He managed the trouble, made the pitches and took off from there,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said.

Orioles 4, Tampa Bay 0

Baltimore – Daniel Cabrera pitched seven innings of five-hit ball, and Baltimore dealt Tampa Bay its eighth straight road loss.

Twins 5, White Sox 4

Chicago – Jason Bartlett had a two-out RBI single in the top of the ninth as Minnesota took over the AL wild-card lead.

Athletics 9, Rangers 3

Arlington, Texas – Barry Zito took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning and earned his 100th career victory.

Mariners 6, Red Sox 0

Seattle – Jake Woods and two relievers combined on a five-hit shutout to help Seattle beat short-handed Boston.

National League

Phillies 4, Mets 3

New York – Randy Wolf won again and Ryan Howard hit his league-leading 45th home run as Philadelphia stayed in the thick of the NL wild-card race.

Astros 5, Pirates 1

Pittsburgh – Roger Clemens limited the Pirates to one run over six innings to win his fourth in a row, extending his strong run of late-season pitching for fast-fading Houston.

Marlins 6, Brewers 5

Miami – Mike Jacobs drove in three runs, reliever Brian Moehler pitched four shutout innings and Florida rallied for its fifth consecutive win.

Nationals 7, Braves 6

Atlanta – Austin Kearns hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning to lead Washington.

Cardinals 2, Cubs 0

St. Louis – Jeff Suppan pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning, overcoming three balls that rookie left fielder Chris Duncan misplayed into doubles.

Rockies 13, Padres 5

Denver – Brad Hawpe rediscovered his home run swing at Coors Field and Jeff Francis overcame a rough start for Colorado.

Giants 4, Reds 1

San Francisco – Matt Morris hit a two-run double in the eighth inning and pitched a three-hitter.