MLB: Detroit 5, New York Yankees 3

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NEW YORK, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Max Scherzer tossed six scoreless innings Sunday and Detroit evened its AL divisional series against the New York Yankees with a 5-3 victory.

Scherzer (1-0), making his first post-season appearance, held the Yankees to two hits, overcoming four walks and striking out five as the Tigers forged a 1-1 tie with New York in their best-of-five, first-round playoff series.

Detroit built a 5-1 lead in part on a two-run homer and RBI single by Miguel Cabrera. Victor Martinez and Don Kelly added run-scoring hits.

The Tigers, however, had to hang on in the ninth as closer Jose Valverde allowed two runs -- including a solo homer by Nick Swisher -- in a steady rain.

But the reliever struck out Robinson Cano with a runner on to end the contest and gain the save.

New York's Freddie Garcia (0-1) was saddled with the loss, yielding four runs on six hits over 5 1/3 frames.

The series now shifts to Detroit where the two teams will meet again Monday for Game 3.