Eckstein helps Blue Jays edge Tigers

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - David Eckstein clubbed a three-run homer and finished with two runs scored as the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Detroit Tigers, 5-3, at Rogers Centre.
"It's one of those things," said Eckstein. "For us to be able to be successful we're going to have to get the big hits when we get runners on base, especially against clubs like the Tigers. When you don't know if you have enough runs at any point in the game, you have to be able to get hits with runners in scoring position."
Alex Rios and John McDonald each drove in a run for the Jays, who have won two straight on the heels of a three-game skid. A.J. Burnett (2-1) lasted five innings to pick up the win, yielding three runs on four hits, with six walks and four strikeouts.
Earlier in the day the Jays released designated hitter Frank Thomas. The 39- year-old disgruntled slugger was benched Saturday after hitting just .167 with three homers and 11 RBI in 16 games.
Toronto remains on the hook for the remainder of Thomas' two-year $18 million contract he signed in November of 2006. That deal also included a $10 million option for 2009 if Thomas had made 376 plate appearances this season.
"Obviously you do miss a presence like Frank," said Jays catcher Gregg Zaun. "I'm sure that had he been given the opportunity over the course of the year he probably would have been looking at another Frank Thomas-like number (of home runs).
"We need some offense right now and unfortunately Frank is a notoriously slow starter," Zaun added.
Clete Thomas went 3-for-5 and knocked in a pair for the Tigers, who have dropped three of their last four games. The loss went to Nate Robertson (0-2), who was charged with five runs on eight hits over five innings. He walked a batter and fanned five in the outing.
The Jays put up a run in the first behind back-to-back doubles from Eckstein and Aaron Hill and a ground out by Rios.
Detroit battled back with a pair in the fourth, as Jacque Jones and Edgar Renteria ripped consecutive singles, Ryan Raburn walked and two batters later, Thomas' line drive to center made it 2-1.
McDonald's RBI single and a three-run homer by Eckstein then put the Jays up 5-2 in the home half, but Detroit got a run back its next trip to the plate as Magglio Ordonez walked and scored on Miguel Cabrera's double.
Jeremy Accardo worked the ninth to pick up his fourth save for Toronto.
Game Notes
Thomas batted .277 with 26 homers and 95 RBIs in 2007 in his only full season with the Jays...Tigers DH Gary Sheffield was out of the lineup due to soreness in his right shoulder...Rios has reached base in 17 of his 18 games this year.