(Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers will try to complete a sweep of the Cleveland Indians, as the clubs wrap up a three-game series today at Comerica Park.
On Saturday, Max Scherzer allowed one earned run in seven strong innings, leading the Tigers to another home victory over the Indians, 5-2.
Scherzer (9-9) allowed two runs total on four hits and two walks while fanning eight for the Tigers, who have won 14 of their last 16 home games against Cleveland, including seven of eight this season. Jose Valverde earned his 24th save of the season.
"You take pride in your record," Scherzer said. "You want to go out there and give your team a chance to win. Obviously, there's extra factors that go into it, but it's something that every pitcher takes pride in. So, to be at .500, it's a good thing."
Don Kelly homered, while Austin Jackson went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Brennan Boesch notched an RBI double for the 100th hit of his rookie season.
Travis Hafner went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Indians, who have lost four of five. Josh Tomlin (1-3) lost his third straight start after yielding five runs, seven hits and two walks in six innings.
"I think I got a little cutter-happy today," Tomlin said. "It wasn't really a good pitch, either. I was leaving it over the plate."
Getting the nod for the Indians today is Jeanmar Gomez, who making his sixth major league start and second versus the Tigers. The rookie beat Detroit in his debut on July 18th, allowing two earned runs and five hits over seven innings of a 7-2 victory.
The 22-year-old right-hander hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of his starts, though he took his first loss in his most recent outing on Tuesday against Kansas City. In that game, Gomez gave up two earned runs and seven hits over six innings of a 2-1 setback.
The Tigers, meanwhile, will turn to their ace Justin Verlander, who has had good success at home, going 8-3 with a 2.78 ERA in 12 starts at Comerica Park.
On Tuesday, though, Verlander took the loss at New York, surrendering three earned runs and five hits in five innings of a 6-2 decision. He walked and fanned five while suffering a loss for the second time in three starts.
The right-hander has gone just 9-10 with a 5.35 ERA in 22 career starts versus the Indians, although he was 4-0 with a 0.90 ERA against them last season. Verlander hasn't been quite as dominant this season against Cleveland, however, boasting a 1-0 mark and a 6.35 ERA over three starts.
The Tigers have won eight of 14 matchups with the Indians this year overall.