DETROIT, April 5 (UPI) -- Austin Johnson delivered a bases-loaded single with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday, giving Detroit a 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox.
Boston tied the score with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth, but Jhonny Peralta and Alex Avila singled off Mark Melancon (0-1) with one out in the bottom of the inning.
Alfredo Aceves replaced Melancon but hit Ramon Santiago with his third pitch, loading the bases. Jackson pulled a grounder just inside third for a game-winning hit.
Jose Valverde (1-0) got the win despite giving up three hits in the Boston two-run ninth.
Dustin Pedroia doubled and Adrian Gonzalez singled for the Red Sox to greet Valverde and David Ortiz got a run home with a sacrifice fly. After a strikeout, Ryan Sweeney tripled, scoring pinch-runner Darnell McDonald and tying the score.
The game was scoreless until the seventh when Peralta and Avila connected on back-to-back doubles off Boston starter Jon Lester for the first run. Jackson tripled in the eighth and scored on Prince Fiedler's sacrifice fly for the 2-0 Tigers lead.
Detroit starter Justin Verlander allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out seven in eight inning of work.
