Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer delivers in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians on July 25, 2012. / Tony Dejak / AP
Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Max Scherzer spun seven strong innings of
two-run ball Wednesday as the Detroit Tigers downed the Cleveland Indians,
5-3, in the middle test of a three-game set at Progressive Field.
Scherzer (10-5) surrendered just three hits and four walks with eight
strikeouts to earn his fourth consecutive winning decision.
Joaquin Benoit fired a scoreless eighth and Jose Valverde worked around a one-
out homer from Travis Hafner to nail down his 19th save of the season.
Quintin Berry registered three hits and two RBI, while Austin Jackson scored
twice and also knocked in a run for the Tigers, who have won eight of their
last 10 games.
With the win, Detroit kept paced with the Chicago White Sox, who also won on
Wednesday, for first place in the American League Central.
Derek Lowe (8-9) absorbed the loss after giving up five runs -- four earned on
eight hits and three walks over six frames.
Casey Kotchman clubbed a two-run homer, but the Indians had their brief two-
game winning streak snapped.
The Sports Network