MLB: Detroit 7, Minnesota 3

The game was the opener of a key three-game series between two of the three teams battling for the lead in the American League Central.

Ordonez singled in a run in the first and his two-run single produced the first scores in the second. Miguel Cabrera added a sacrifice fly in the second and Carlos Guillen contributed a two-run triple that gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead.

Justin Verlander (11-5) took advantage of the early offense to get the win, allowing two runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. The Tigers won for the sixth time in seven games and maintained their half game lead over the Chicago White Sox at the top of the division.

Minnesota fell three games behind Detroit with its third straight loss.

Francisco Liriano (6-7) surrendered seven runs on six hits in just 1 2/3 innings to suffer the setback.

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