CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- It was night and day for Bobby Higginson.

After going 0-for-3 and striking out twice in the early portion of a day-night doubleheader, Higginson slugged three two-run homers to power the Detroit Tigers to a 14-8 victory over the Cleveland Indians in the nightcap.

"I can't explain it," Higginson said. "This just happened. I'm impressed with it, but I am more impressed that it helped us win. The way I swung the bat the first game makes me surprised I even got a hit in the next game. I stunk in the first game."

Last week's American League Player of the Week, Higginson has 15 home runs and 46 RBI. It was the second time in his career he has hit three homers. The other time was June 30, 1997 against the New York Mets. That also was the last time Higginson had six or more RBI.

Higginson played most of the game after hurting his knee diving to make a catch of a Travis Fryman fly ball in the third inning. He left the game in the eighth for defensive reasons. His work was already done.

"After the third inning I came in and decided to give it a go," he said. "And when I hit the home run I felt better."

The left fielder's power display was instrumental in the Tigers' comeback from a 7-0 deficit. It was the eighth time this season the Indians -- who have seven pitchers on the disabled list -- blew a lead of four or more runs.

"It's our biggest win this year," Higginson said. "To come back from seven runs down in the second game of a long, long day is really tremendous."

Higginson slugged his third two-run homer off Mike Mohler (0-1) in the seventh, giving the Tigers an 8-7 lead after they had fallen behind by seven runs in the first three innings.

His third long ball triggered a six-run frame. After singles by Juan Gonzalez and Dean Palmer, Tony Clark drilled an RBI double. Wendell Magee slugged a three-run homer, his fifth, to make it 12-7.

"We are hurting," Cleveland manager Charlie Manual said. "I was trying to figure a way to get to (closer Steve) Karsay. And it just got a little out of hand. When you're up 7-0, you are supposed to win the game."

After rolling to an 8-1 win this afternoon, the Indians looked ready to sweep the set, breaking out to a 7-0 lead after three innings.

David Justice slugged a three-run homer in the first, driving in Kenny Lofton and Omar Vizquel.

In the third, the Indians loaded the bases with none out to chase Tigers starter Mark Johnson. Reliever C.J. Nitkowski got Jim Thome to fly out but gave up an RBI single to Travis Fryman, a sacrifice fly to Sandy Alomar and a two-run double to Enrique Wilson.

Higginson started the comeback with a two-run homer after Damion Easley singled in the fourth off Paul Rigdon. Gonzalez doubled and Palmer singled before Clark struck out. But Magee came through with an RBI single, making it 7-3.

In the fifth, Higginson did it again off Rigdon. After Easley rapped an RBI single, the 29-year-old unloaded for his second two-run homer in two innings, bringing Detroit within 7-6.

"It looked like one time through (against Rigdon) and then they made their adjustments the second time through," Manuel said. "Rigdon started getting the ball up and you can't get guys out like that."

Nitkowski (4-7) got the win, giving up one run and five hits over four innings. The second of five Detroit pitchers, he struck out five.

"It was good. He came in and shut them down and set up Higgy for his big night," Detroit manageer Phil Garner said. "He has been both my situational lefty and my long man."

Mohler, the third of five Cleveland pitchers, was charged with one run and one hit. The only batter he faced was Higginson.

Thome's 21st homer, a solo shot in the seventh, gave the Indians their eighth run.

The Tigers added a pair of runs in the ninth on RBI doubles by Clark and Brad Ausmus.

Detroit rapped out a season-high six doubles among its 10 extra-base hits. Shane Halter was the only starter who did not get a hit, going 0-for-5.