Detroit: Max Scherzer pitched seven impressive innings, outduelling Zack Greinke and helping the short-handed Detroit Tigers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1 on Wednesday.
Detroit was without sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, but the AL Central-leading Tigers scored two runs in the first inning and Scherzer (11-3) made the lead hold up. The All-Star right-hander allowed a run and four hits. He struck out seven and walked two.
Joba Chamberlain struck out two in the eighth, and Joe Nathan fanned two in a perfect ninth for his 18th save in 23 chances.
Greinke (11-5) allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings. He struck out eight without a walk.
Miguel Rojas of the Dodgers hit his first career homer.
Cabrera was given a day off by manager Brad Ausmus, and Martinez is dealing with a lingering back issue.
Doug Fister allowed two runs over seven innings as Washington hit three solo homers in a victory over Baltimore. Wilson Ramos, Ian Desmond and Jayson Werth connected for the Nationals, who took control early and cruised to the finish in this interleague matchup between first-place clubs located 40 miles apart on I-295.
Each team has won once in the rain-shortened, home-and-home showdown that concludes on Thursday night. Washington have won eight of 10 overall and Baltimore are 7-2 in their last nine games.
Manny Machado went 3 for 4 with a homer for the Orioles. Fister (8-2) scattered seven hits and struck out three. He is 8-1 in his last 11 starts.
Orioles starter Bud Norris (7-6) gave up five runs and six hits in four-plus innings in his first appearance since June 21. He won four straight starts before going on the disabled list with a right groin strain.