CLEVELAND, OH -- Justin Masterson matched Justin Verlander pitch for pitch for first his career win over Detroit, and the first-place Cleveland Indians did just enough to beat the reigning AL MVP 2-1 Thursday to complete a three-game sweep of the underperforming Tigers.
Shin-Soo Choo homered on the third pitch from Verlander (5-2) as the Indians won for the eighth time in 10 games and opened a six-game lead over third-place Detroit in the AL Central.
The Tigers have dropped six of eight, and manager Jim Leyland was ejected in the fifth inning.
Masterson (2-3) entered 0-4 in seven starts against the Tigers. He allowed one run and five hits in seven innings.
Chris Perez put the tying run on in the ninth but got his 16th straight save since blowing one on opening day.
