CLEVELAND (AP) — Doug Fister struck out a career-high 13, Victor Martinez hit a three-run homer and the Detroit Tigers beat the Cleveland Indians 4-2 on Monday to extended their AL Central lead to 712 games.
Fister (7-13) improved to 4-1 in seven starts since being acquired from Seattle on July 30. The right-hander gave up an earned run and four hits over eight innings.
Jose Valverde pitched a perfect ninth for his 41st consecutive save, extending his team record and helping the Tigers improve to 14-4 since holding a 112-game lead on the Indians on Aug. 19. Detroit began a three-game home sweep of the Indians that night and has won five straight against them, sending Cleveland to its largest deficit of the season.
