OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 17 (UPI) -- A three-hit performance over eight innings by Doug Fister Friday earned Detroit its first division title in 24 years with a 3-1 win over Oakland.
Detroit became the first team in the majors this season to wrap up its division, although Philadelphia has earned at least a wild card berth in the National League.
One night after having a 12-game winning streak snapped, the Tigers turned to a pitcher they obtained at the trade deadline from Seattle. Fister (9-13), who has a 6-1 record in his nine starts with Detroit, allowed a second-inning homer to Josh Willingham and then shut down the Athletics.
Jose Valverde came on in the ninth and gave up a lead-off double, but got the next three batters to earn his 45th save and touch off a Detroit celebration.
Manager Jim Leyland, in his sixth year as Detroit skipper, stood along the third base line and shook the hand of each of his players as they left the field.
The loss went to Trevor Cahill (11-14), who gave up three runs on nine hits in 6 2/3.
Don Kelly singled in the tying run in the third inning and hit a solo shot off Cahill in the seventh. Wilson Betemit had a run-scoring triple in the sixth.
