Eduardo Valencia homered and Keider Montero pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, fueling the host Detroit Tigers to a 3-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday afternoon.
Montero (9-7) limited the Guardians to three hits and one walk. Tyler Holton got the next five outs, allowing one hit, and Kenley Jansen tossed a clean ninth for his 15th save of the season.
The Tigers recorded the first major league shutout with a strikeout since July 1, 2014, when Rick Porcello blanked the then-Oakland Athletics.
Detroit notched two wins in the three-game series over its American League Central rival. The Tigers have won nine of their last 12 games.
Spencer Torkelson had two hits and drove in a run. Javier Baez and Kevin McGonigle each had a hit and scored a run.
Rookie Chase DeLauter had two of the Guardians’ four hits.
Cleveland’s Parker Messick (9-7) gave up two runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out six.
DeLauter reached third base in the first inning on a hit, stolen base and error. Montero then induced Jose Ramirez to foul out and Nathaniel Lowe to ground out.
Detroit broke through in the bottom of the third inning. Baez led off with a double to left. Ben Malgeri was hit by a pitch and Gleyber Torres walked to load the bases.
Dillon Dingler then grounded out while Baez scored. Messick struck out the next two batters to leave the other two runners stranded.
Valencia made it 2-0 with his homer to left field. He took advantage of Messick’s hanging curveball for his fifth homer of the season.
The Tigers tacked on another run against Franco Aleman in the eighth. McGonigle had a one-out single and stole second. Colt Keith drew a walk before Torkelson smacked a single to left, allowing McGonigle to score from second base.
The Tigers now host the first-place Chicago White Sox in a pivotal division series. Cleveland returns home to host the San Diego Padres.
