Detroit, MI (My Sportsbook) - Marcus Thames' grand slam highlighted a seven- run third inning, as the Detroit Tigers downed the Seattle Mariners, 9-4, in the middle test of a three-game series from Comerica Park.

Kenny Rogers (4-4) gave up four runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win. Zach Miner and Francisco Cruceta did not allow a hit in 3 2/3 innings of relief.

"I thought he was trying to be too perfect, but he got through it and we got enough runs," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said of Rogers.

Brandon Inge doubled, tripled and knocked in two runs for the Tigers, who have won three of their last four games. Ivan Rodriguez, Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Guillen each had an RBI.

Jarrod Washburn (2-6) lasted only 2 1/3 innings for Seattle, giving up nine runs on 12 hits. Ryan Rowland-Smith and Cha Seung Baek combined to allow only two hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Yuniesky Betancourt and Richie Sexson both clubbed solo home runs for the Mariners, who have dropped 10 of their last 14 games. Jamie Burke had a pair of hits and scored once, while Adrian Beltre drove in one.

Detroit jumped on Washburn for two runs in the second. Thames stroked a two- out double into the right-field corner and moved to third on a bullet single off the bat of Edgar Renteria. Inge then hooked a two-run double down the left-field line.

Seattle got a run back in the third on Betancourt's second home run of the season, but the Tigers feasted for seven runs in the next frame.

Five consecutive hits by Placido Polanco, Gary Sheffield, Magglio Ordonez, Cabrera and Guillen plated two runs before Thames provided the big blow with his fifth career grand slam, a shot to left.

After Renteria flied out, Inge continued the hit parade, lacing a triple past a diving Raul Ibanez in left. Rodriguez then lined a single to right, ending Washburn's night. Rowland-Smith was summoned from the bullpen and retired Polanco and Sheffield to end the inning.

"We are having a tough time," Seattle manager John McLaren said. "Our starters are struggling. We seem to be behind the eight-ball every night. When you get behind 9-1 early, you put yourself in a bad position."

The Mariners scored two runs in the fifth. Wladimir Balentien drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on Burke's ground-rule double. A walk to Ichiro Suzuki loaded for the bases for Beltre, who ripped a single to left scoring Balentien. Jose Lopez then popped out before a free pass to Ibanez brought in another run. However, Jose Vidro flied out to right to end the inning.

Sexson's eighth home run of the season narrowed the deficit to 9-4 in the sixth.

Game Notes

Before the game, the Tigers reinstated pitcher Dontrelle Willis from the 15- day disabled list with the intention of using him out of the bullpen. The Tigers placed reliever Clay Rapada on the 15-day disabled list with biceps tendinitis to make room for Willis on the 25-man roster...The Tigers sent 11 men to the plate in the third...There were periods of rain throughout the game...Sheffield's third-inning single snapped an 0-for-17 stretch...The Mariners have lost nine of 10 on the road after starting 6-7 this season...Seattle will send Miguel Batista (3-5) to the mound on Thursday against Detroit's Jeremy Bonderman (2-4) in the series finale.