The Tigers sent nine batters to the plate and scored five runs against Oakland starter Steve Karsay (0-2) in the first. Hunter led off with a single, stole second and moved to third on Easley's fielder's choice. Travis Fryman singled in Hunter and Clark followed with his seventh homer for a 4-0 lead.

"Yesterday, (Oakland's Willie) Adams threw a fantastic game. Today we were fortunate to have some balls drop in early for us," Clark said. "We're a young team and if we can gain some confidence early, we can bear down and hopefully we can get a few more runs."

Bobby Higginson singled and stole second after Curtis Pride struck out. Karsay retired Bubba Trammell on a popout, but Brian Johnson's single scored Higginson.

"When we hit them with the five spot in the first it made it a lot easier," Moehler said. "But this team will keep battling so I knew I couldn't coast. It's a pretty memorable first win."

Clark has four homers in his last six games and is hitting .518 (14-for-27) with 12 RBI since April 13. Dan Miceli finished up with two scoreless innings for the Tigers. Karsay lasted six innings, allowing six runs on seven hits. Oakland had its seven-game winning streak at Tiger Stadium end.

Dave Magadan's first homer of the season in the second drew Oakland within 5-1. Hunter led off the fifth with his first home run, increasing Detroit's lead to 6-1. Mark McGwire hit his sixth home run in the sixth off Moehler to make it 6-2, but Detroit scored twice in the seventh and once in the eighth.

McGwire's home run traveled 491 feet, the longest in the majors in five years. He became the 31st player to homer over the roof at Tiger Stadium, but just the fourth to left field.

"I saw that it hit the roof, but I didn't see it go over," McGwire said. "I had a pretty good idea it did. I know only a few people had done it, that's very good company to be in. I was just happy to hit a ball that didn't move, everything else he (Moehler) threw me moved or sank or did something."