DETROIT (AP) — Max Scherzer pitched seven strong innings and the first-place Detroit Tigers hit three homers in a 4-1 victory over the second-place Cleveland Indians on Friday night.
The Indians could have taken over the AL Central lead with a sweep of the three-game series, but now trail Detroit by 212 games.
Scherzer (13-7) allowed one run, five hits and a walk while throwing a career-high 127 pitches.
Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde finished, with the latter pitching the ninth for his 36th save in as many opportunities. Valverde was coming off Wednesday’s loss to the Twins, where he allowed two ninth-inning runs in a tie game.
Josh Tomlin (12-6) took the loss, giving up four runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings.
