DETROIT — Max Scherzer pitched seven strong innings and the first-place Detroit Tigers hit three homers in a 4-1 victory over the second-place Cleveland Indians on Friday night.

The Indians could have taken over the AL Central lead with a sweep of the three-game series, but now trail Detroit by 2Z\x games.

Scherzer (13-7) allowed one run, five hits and a walk while throwing a career-high 127 pitches.

Josh Tomlin (12-6) took the loss, giving up four runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings.

Rays 3, Mariners 2

Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist each had run-scoring singles with two outs during the eighth inning as Tampa Bay beat Felix Hernandez.

Hernandez (11-11) took a one-hitter in the eighth before the Rays’ put together the late rally. An out after pinch-hitter Sam Fuld lined an one-out, opposite-field single to left, Johnny Damon had an infield single before Longoria and Zobrist had consecutive RBI hits to put Tampa Bay ahead 3-2.

Red Sox 7, Royals 1

Jarrod Saltalamacchia pounded out a three-run homer, left-hander Andrew Miller gave Red Sox manager Terry Francona precisely what he was looking for and Boston rolled over the Royals.

Miller (5-1) allowed one run on three hits and a pair of walks over 5 1-3 innings, rarely finding himself in any trouble against the Royals’ feeble offense. It was his first start since July 31 after a pair of appearances out of the bullpen, and his first victory since July 20 at Baltimore.

Yankees 8, Twins 1

Phil Hughes allowed just two hits in 7 2-3 innings and Russell Martin hit two home runs to lead New York.

Rangers 7, White Sox 4

Josh Hamilton hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth inning, Mitch Moreland connected for a three-run shot in the fourth and a two-run drive in the sixth, and Texas beat the Chicago White Sox.

Athletics 2, Blue Jays 0

Rich Harden matched his career high with 11 strikeouts and didn’t allow a hit until the fifth, Josh Willingham hit a two-run homer and the Athletics beat Toronto.

Angels 8, Orioles 3

Torii Hunter drove in five runs with two homers that extended his hitting streak to 17 games and Peter Bourjos and rookie Mike Trout also went deep for the Angels.

Nationals 8, Phillies 4

Ryan Zimmerman hit a grand slam on a full count with two outs in the bottom of the ninth Friday night, capping a six-run inning and lifting Washington to an improbable 8-4 victory over Philadelphia.

Brewers 6, Mets 1

Prince Fielder hit two RBI singles and streaking Milwaukee waited out a rain delay of nearly three hours before beating New York.

Braves 4, D’Backs 2

Derek Lowe combined with four relievers on a six-hitter and Atlanta hit three homers in the matchup of NL playoff contenders.

Astros 6, Giants 0

Wandy Rodriguez pitched eight innings and had a two-run single to lead Houston.

Cubs 5, Cardinals 4

Tyler Colvin’s RBI single in the bottom of the 10th off Octavio Dotel lifted Chicago to the victory.

Dodgers 8, Rockies 2

Hiroki Kuroda pitched six strong innings for his first career win against Colorado, and Rod Barajas and Tony Gwynn hit home runs for Los Angeles.

Padres 4, Marlins 3

Kyle Blanks hit a two-run homer and made a great catch in left field to lift San Diego.

Blanks’ fourth homer put the Padres ahead to stay 3-2 in the fourth inning.