CLEVELAND, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Victor Martinez hit a grand slam Wednesday that boosted the Detroit Tigers to an 8-6 victory and a three-game series sweep of the Cleveland Indians.
The Indians lost to the Tigers for the seventh consecutive game and dropped to 9 1/2 games behind division-leading Detroit in the American League Central.
The home run by Martinez came in the seventh, giving Justin Verlander the victory. Verlander (22-5), who leads the major leagues in victories, allowed just three hits and walked two while striking out eight over six innings. Jose Valverde picked up his AL-best 42nd save by pitching the ninth.
Cleveland starter Justin Masterson (11-9) gave up the grand slam and took the loss.
The Indians led 4-2 after four innings on two two-run home runs by Shelley Duncan but the Tigers grabbed the lead with a five-run seventh.
A pair of singles and an error by Duncan loaded the bases for Detroit. Cabrera singled in one run and Martinez followed on the next pitch with a drive into the left-field seats for his 10th home run and a 7-4 lead.
Lonnie Chisenhall, with Duncan on base, hit a two-run homer that got Cleveland within 7-6 but Don Kelly's RBI triple completed the scoring for the Tigers in the ninth.
