DETROIT (AP) -- Max Scherzer pitched seven strong innings and the first-place Detroit Tigers hit three homers in a 4-1 victory over the second-place Cleveland Indians on Friday night. The Indians could have taken over the AL Central lead with a sweep of the three-game series, but now trail Detroit by 2½ games.
Scherzer (13-7) allowed one run, five hits and a walk while throwing a career-high 127 pitches.
Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde finished, with the latter pitching the ninth for his 36th save in as many opportunities. Valverde was coming off Wednesday's loss to the Twins, where he allowed two ninth-inning runs in a tie game.
Josh Tomlin (12-6) took the loss, giving up four runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings.
The Tigers brought veteran Brandon Inge back from Triple-A Toledo after Friday night's win over Cleveland and sent rookie Andy Dirks back to the Mud Hens. Inge was designated for assignment last month after hitting .177 with one homer in 70 games. The 11-year veteran cleared waivers and agreed to report to Toledo to try to salvage his career. He has hit .287 with seven homers in 29 games for the Mud Hens, including an injury rehab assignment earlier in the season.
He will platoon with Wilson Betemit at third base.
Dirks, who is hitting .257 in 61 games, is expected to rejoin the team when rosters are expanded on Sept. 1.
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