ANAHEIM, Calif., April 23 (UPI) -- Ryan Perry and Jose Valverde delivered clutch relief pitching Thursday to preserve Detroit's 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
The Tigers won their second straight after having dropped five out of six.
Carlos Guillen drove in two runs in helping the Tigers build a 5-2 lead through three innings and they held on down the stretch.
Hideki Matsui hit a solo homer in the fifth to draw the Angels within 5-4 and they threatened to grab the lead in the eighth.
Perry loaded the bases with two away by hitting Juan Rivera with a pitch, but he then caught Erick Aybar looking on a 2-2 count to end the inning.
Valverde came on in the ninth and walked Bobby Abreu to open the inning. Valverde, however, got Torii Hunter to ground into a double play and Matsui grounded out to clinch the victory.
Starter Justin Verlander (1-1) got the win, giving up four runs on six hits in five innings. The loss went to Joe Saunders (1-3), who lasted only 2 2/3 innings while surrendering five runs on six hits. Valverde picked up his fifth save.
