Detroit 4, Cleveland 1

Max Scherzer allowed one run in seven innings and Detroit hit three home runs, lifting the Tigers to a 4-1 win over the visiting Cleveland Indians Friday night.

The win boosted Detroit's lead over Cleveland to 2 1/2 games in the American League Central in the opener of a crucial three-game series at Comerica Park.

Austin Jackson, Alex Avila and Jhonny Peralta homered off Josh Tomlin (12-6). Jackson's two-run homer in the sixth broke a scoreless tie. Avila and Peralta hit back-to-back home runs in the seventh.

Jose Valverde pitched the ninth for his 36th save in 36 chances.

The Indians' only run off Scherzer (13-7) came on a wild pitch in the seventh. The righthander held Cleveland to five hits while striking out six and walking one.

Pitching dominated until the sixth when Jackson homered on an 0-1 pitch to left after Ryan Raburn's one-out single.

Singles by Carlos Santana and Lonnie Chisenhall put runners on first and third for Cleveland in the seventh. Santana scored on the wild pitch, but Luis Valbuena grounded out.

Tomlin retired the first two batters in the seventh, but Avila and Peralta combined to put the game out of reach. The homers ended the night for Tomlin.

• Detroit will play their next game at home against Cleveland. The Tigers have a W/L % of .523 after a win and .542 after a loss.
• Cleveland will play their next game on the road against Detroit. The Indians have a W/L % of .516 after a win and .508 after a loss.