CLEVELAND, July 25 (UPI) -- Max Scherzer struck out eight Indians over seven innings Wednesday and the Detroit Tigers beat Cleveland 5-3.
Scherzer (10-5) was given an early 3-0 lead and responded by holding the Tribe to two runs on three hits, working around four walks to earn his fourth win in five starts.
Joaquin Benoit tossed a scoreless eighth and Jose Valverde collected his 19th save despite allowing a Travis Hafner solo homer in the ninth for the Tigers, who evened their three-game series against American League Central rival Cleveland.
Detroit remained tied with the Chicago White Sox atop the AL Central. The White Sox beat Minnesota earlier Wednesday.
Quintin Berry went 3-for-4 with a pair of run-scoring singles while Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder each drove in a run for the Tigers.
Derek Lowe (8-9) absorbed the loss, surrendering five runs (four earned) on eight hits in six innings for Cleveland.
Casey Kotchman belted a two-run homer.
