MINNEAPOLIS, July 17 (UPI) -- Nate Robertson pitched seven scoreless innings and Magglio Ordonez drove in the only run Tuesday as Detroit posted a 1-0 victory over Minnesota.
Robertson (6-6) allowed three hits and struck out five for Detroit, which has won three of its last four games. Macay McBride tossed a 1-2-3 eighth and closer Todd Jones induced three consecutive groundouts in the ninth for his 24th save.
The victory allowed Detroit to hold on to its one-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central.
Matt Garza was tagged with the loss for the Twins, who had a four-game win streak halted. Garza (1-1) pitched seven innings and allowed only an unearned run on just three hits.
Detroit scored in the top of the sixth inning. Brandon Inge reached on a fielding error by Minnesota shortstop Jason Bartlett and reached second on Garza's wild pitch. Curtis Granderson then walked but Garza got two straight outs. However, Ordonez stroked a single to left, scoring Inge.
