NEW YORK, June 24 (UPI) -- Homers by Magglio Ordonez and Ryan Raburn helped Detroit build a five-run lead Thursday and the Tigers held on to defeat the New York Mets 6-5.
The Mets, who were trying to sweep the three-game inter-league series, reduced their deficit to 6-4 with a three-run sixth and Chris Carter had an RBI single in the seventh to make it a one-run game.
New York then put two runners on with two out in the eighth before Joel Zumaya worked out of trouble. Jose Valverde came on in the ninth to retire the side in order and earn his 17th save, preserving the victory for starter Armando Galarraga.
Galarraga (3-1) gave up four runs on five hits over six innings.
Ordonez hit a two-run homer in the third to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead and Raburn had a solo shot as part of a three-run fifth.
The loss went to Hisanori Takahashi (6-3), who allowed six runs on eight hits in four innings.
