Tigers hold off Tribe

Published 1:36 am Friday, April 18, 2014

DETROIT (AP) — Ian Kinsler homered and drove in four runs, and the Detroit Tigers held on for a 7-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday.

Justin Verlander (2-1) allowed three unearned runs in five innings, and the Tigers trailed 3-1 before Kinsler’s three-run homer in the fifth off Danny Salazar (0-2).

Detroit never gave up the lead after scoring four runs in the fifth, although Cleveland’s Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in the seventh to make it 6-5.

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Joe Nathan pitched a perfect ninth for his second save in four chances.

There were four unearned runs in a sloppy game that included five errors, three by the Tigers.

Lonnie Chisenhall had four hits for the Indians, raising his average to .522. Cleveland’s Jason Kipnis was ejected after striking out in the third inning.