MLB: Detroit 4, Cleveland 0

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CLEVELAND, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Justin Verlander protected an early Detroit lead by working seven shutout innings Friday, helping lift the Tigers to a 4-0 victory over Cleveland.

Detroit began the night just one game behind Chicago in the American League Central and kept the pressure on the White Sox with a solid pitching performance.

Verlander (14-8) gave up six hits and struck out six, after which Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde kept the shutout going by working one inning each. The Tigers won their third in a row.

Detroit scored twice in the first on RBI singles from Delmon Young and Brennan Boesch. Austin Jackson then doubled in a run in the second and scored later in the inning on a base hit by Miguel Cabrera.

All four runs were charged to Corey Kuber (1-4), who gave up eight hits in five innings.