The Tigers made an early lead stand up last night and went on to beat the Cardinals 6-to-3 in the opener of a 3-game series at Comerica Park. The victory over St. Louis was Detroit’s third straight win and moves the Tigers to within two games of the top spot in the American League Central.

Delmon Young and Austin Jackson each had a pair of rbi’s for the Tigers while Quintin Berry and Miguel Cabrera both added two hits, an RBI and scored a run. Justin Verlander allowed three runs, just one earned, on five hits and four walks over seven innings as he improved to 7-and-4. The Tigers were up 5-to-0 after five innings before St. Louis scored a run in the sixth and added two more in the seventh but the inning ended with the Cardinals leaving the bases loaded.

Verlander is now 18-and-2 in 24 career interleague outings. Phil Coke earned his first save in place of closer Jose Valverde, who wasn’t able to come in for the ninth after suddenly feeling soreness in his right wrist after throwing about 15 warm up tosses. After the game, manager Jim Leyland said they’re shutting Valverde down for awhile and will wait for test results before putting out any word on how serious the injury might be. 

The White Sox have dropped out of first place in the Central Division after they lost 2-to-1 to the Cubs and now trail the Indians by a half game. Cleveland last night beat Cincinnati 3-to-2.