Indians hold on to beat Verlander, Tigers

Indians hold on to beat Verlander, Tigers

DETROIT (AP) — Ubaldo Jimenez outpitched Justin Verlander, and Cleveland’s Chris Perez got Miguel Cabrera to hit a game-ending groundout with two on to preserve the Indians’ 7-6 win over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night.

Verlander (4-3) was erratic early, allowing three runs in the first two innings. He settled a bit after that, but the Indians took a 6-1 lead before Detroit closed the gap with a four-run seventh.

It was 7-5 when Perez allowed an unearned run in the ninth, but with men on first and second, Cabrera hit a weak grounder to third to end it.

It was Perez’s sixth save.

Jimenez (3-2) allowed a run and three hits in six innings, striking out eight with one walk.