CLEVELAND — Edwin Jackson wouldn’t allow the AL Central to get any tighter.
Detroit’s steady starter pitched seven shutout innings and remained unbeaten against Cleveland this season, and the first-place Tigers kept their slender lead over Minnesota with a 3-1 victory over the staggering Indians, who dropped their ninth straight Tuesday night.
In losing nine of 13, the Tigers let a season-high, seven-game lead on Sept. 6 slip to two over the Twins last weekend.
But with their second consecutive victory, they stayed 2 1/2 games ahead of Minnesota, which beat Chicago 8-6.
Ryan Raburn homered in the third off Aaron Laffey (7-7) and the Tigers tacked on two runs in the eighth off reliever Chris Perez.
Jackson (13-7) improved to 4-0 in five starts against Cleveland. The right-hander gave up seven hits and got out of jams in the fifth and sixth with inning-ending double plays.
The Indians closed within 3-1 in the eighth off Detroit relievers Bobby Seay and Brandon Lyon, who gave up a bases-loaded walk to pinch-hitter Jamey Carroll before striking out Luis Valbuena to crush the threat. Fernando Rodney pitched the ninth for his 34th save in 35 tries.
Leading 1-0 on Rayburn’s homer, Detroit tacked on two big runs in the eighth. After Perez walked two to open the inning, Miguel Cabrera hit an RBI double, and Marcus Thames delivered a sacrifice fly.
Jackson hasn’t gotten much run support all season, and the Tigers weren’t able to do much against Laffey, who allowed one run and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings but lost his fourth straight start. It was the 16th time in 31 starts Jackson has gone at least seven innings.
The Indians, 3-17 in September, opened their final homestand amid uncertainty about manager Eric Wedge’s job for next season.
Cleveland owner Paul Dolan and general manager Mark Shapiro are reviewing all aspects of the organization, including Wedge. They are expected to announce a decision on Wedge, who is signed through next season, around the Oct. 4 season finale.
