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Boston had everything set up for its sixth straight win, rallying from a four-run deficit with its star closer on the mound. But Papelbon (2-1) blew his first save in 11 chances by allowing two unearned runs.
"It tells you a lot about our team," Polanco said. "We had some really tough at-bats against Papelbon to make something happen."
Matt Joyce hit a leadoff single off Papelbon in the ninth and shortstop Julio Lugo's fielding error created a jam. After Curtis Granderson's RBI groundout, Polanco blooped one over a leaping Lugo for his season-high fifth hit and Edgar Renteria trotted home with the winning run.
Todd Jones (1-0) pitched the ninth for Detroit, which snapped a five-game losing streak.
Kevin Youkilis homered twice, Mike Lowell hit a three-run homer in the seventh and pinch-hitter Dustin Pedroia had a tiebreaking single in the eighth for the Red Sox in a comeback that went all for naught.
"We had a great comeback and we couldn't finish it,"
The Red Sox trailed 8-4 after five innings.
Youkilis has seven homers at Comerica Park, five more than he has at any venue as a visitor. The only other time he hit two homers in a game was -- naturally -- in Detroit on Aug. 8, 2004.
Gary Sheffield hit a season-high three hits, helping the Tigers score eight runs through five innings against starter Clay Buchholz and Julian Tavarez.
Detroit went ahead 4-0 in the third -- scoring more than it did in the previous two losses to Boston -- and added four more runs over the next two innings.
It wasn't enough.
Detroit starter Armando Galarraga gave up five runs, seven hits in 5 1-3 innings. The rookie, who went into the rotation when Dontrelle Willis went on the disabled list, matched a career high with six strikeouts and walked only one in his fifth start.
Just when Galarraga seemed to be finding a groove, striking out David Ortiz looking and Manny Ramirez swinging, Lowell hit a 387-foot shot to left.
Buchholz allowed a season-high 10 hits, five runs and struck out six over four innings, getting one more out than his season low.
Notes: Red Sox RHP Curt Schilling is expected to play catch on flat ground Thursday, testing his ailing shoulder as he did Tuesday. ... Willis, who had a rehab start last week, is expected to pitch in the bullpen this weekend. ... Boston IF Alex Cora (right elbow sprain) began a rehab assignment Wednesday and was 2-for-4 with a run in seven innings at Triple A-Pawtucket. ... Red Sox RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, who pitched with a cold Monday night, was feeling better Wednesday and is expected to have a higher pitch count Saturday at Minnesota.
