Sheffield recorded his 495th and 496th home runs of his career in Detroit's 14-8 win over Oakland (65-78) on Monday. The designated hitter hit a solo home run in the first inning and a grand slam in the second during a six-run inning for the Tigers (70-74).

He has 18 games left this year to become the 25th major league player to reach 500 career home runs. Sheffield has 16 this season.

"It really probably won't hit me until I get one or two away. Really, to me, four isn't close," he said. "You have to be at one or two. I can hit two in a game, I've never hit three."

Sheffield is only hitting .225 this season, one of several players that has underperformed during a disappointing year for the Tigers. Lately though, the Tigers have been hitting well. They've scored 27 runs in the last three games and are averaging 6.5 runs in eight games this month.

Their 14 runs on Monday tied their second-highest total of this season. Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Hessman also went deep for the Tigers, who won their third straight. Detroit hasn't won four in a row since July 20-23.

Oakland, meanwhile, had been looking to win its third straight but was unable to recover from an early 9-2 deficit. It had given up just three runs in its previous two games, but starter Gio Gonzalez struggled, allowing nine runs - eight earned - over 1 2-3 innings. Rajai Davis and Jack Hannahan each drove in two runs for the A's.

Detroit has won three straight against Oakland after the A's won the first four meetings between the teams in 2008.

Dana Eveland (8-8, 4.28 ERA) takes the mound for Oakland on Tuesday. He allowed four runs and 10 hits in six innings of a 5-4, 10-inning loss to Kansas City on Thursday.

In his only career start against the Tigers on June 3, Eveland allowed three runs and three hits in 4 1-3 innings of a 5-3, 11-inning win.

Detroit's Nate Robertson (7-10, 6.30) returns to the rotation in a spot start for fellow left-hander Kenny Rogers, who has been bothered by a sore hip.

Robertson was moved to the bullpen in late August after struggling. In his final five starts, he was 1-2 with a 8.39 ERA.

In three relief appearances since being demoted, he has allowed seven runs and eight hits in a combined five innings.

Robertson is 4-4 with a 4.83 ERA in nine career starts against Oakland. In two starts against them this season, he's split the decisions while allowing six runs and 13 hits over 14 innings.