Detroit, MI (My Sportsbook) - Magglio Ordonez and Curtis Granderson each knocked in a run during a two-run seventh to lead the Detroit Tigers past the Cleveland Indians, 3-1, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Comerica Park.

Granderson hit an RBI double and Ordonez stroked an RBI single in the home half of the seventh for the Tigers, who have won two in a row after dropping three straight games. Brandon Inge hit a solo home run for Detroit.

Justin Verlander (2-2) was spectacular in seven innings of work, giving up just one run on two hits to collect the win for Detroit. The right-hander also fanned 11 batters and walked three. Fernando Rodney retired the side in the ninth to pick up his sixth save of the year.

"You want to get off on a good foot, especially when it's your own division. After losing the first one, it was nice to take two-of-three here," Verlander said.

Asdrubal Cabrera went 1-for-4 and had the lone RBI for the Indians, who had alternated wins and losses in their previous seven games. Victor Martinez went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Matt LaPorta, who was part of the deal that sent CC Sabathia to Milwaukee last season, went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in his major league debut.

Cliff Lee (1-4) lasted seven innings, allowing three runs on 12 hits to take the loss for Cleveland. He also walked one and struck out four.

"I didn't feel like I had my best stuff. I am happy with getting to the seventh inning and giving my team a chance to win," Lee said.

The Indians had a golden opportunity in the top of the seventh with the score tied at one, but failed to capitalize. Shin-Soo Choo walked, Mark DeRosa doubled, and David Dellucci was intentionally walked by Verlander to load the bases with no outs. But Verlander got Kelly Shoppach to fly out, LaPorta to go down looking, and Luis Valbuena to ground into a force out to prevent any runs from scoring.

Detroit then scored twice in the home half of the inning to take a 3-1 advantage. Dane Sardinha doubled to center to lead off and was knocked in on a Granderson double to right. Placido Polanco grounded out but moved Granderson to third, and Ordonez singled to drive in the run. The Tigers later loaded the bases with two outs, but Lee got Ryan Raburn to pop out to end the inning.

Bobby Seay and Joel Zumaya combined to throw a scoreless eighth for Detroit before Rodney closed the door with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Inge gave the Tigers an early edge with a solo shot off Lee in the second inning, as he drove a 3-2 fastball over the wall in left-center field.

Cleveland put a run on the board in the third to tie the contest. Shoppach was hit in the left elbow with a pitch to lead off, and remained in the game despite being in obvious pain. LaPorta then struck out looking in his first major league at-bat.

Valbuena, who was making his Indians debut, was given a free pass before Grady Sizemore was called out on strikes. Cabrera then singled to center to knock in Shoppach, and the runners advanced to scoring position on the throw home. However, Verlander got Martinez swinging to end the inning, and the game quickly turned into a pitching duel.

Game Notes

Miguel Cabrera went 3-for-4 for Detroit...Despite the loss, Lee moved ahead of Bartolo Colon for the top winning percentage in club history (min. 1,000IP). Lee owns a .641 (77-43) winning percentage and has thrown 1,004 innings in his career, while Colon has a .625 winning percentage...Indians shortstop Jhonny Peralta was given the day off, as was Tigers catcher Gerald Laird...Cleveland will travel to Toronto for a two-game set with the Blue Jays, starting Monday. Detroit will host Minnesota for a two-game series, starting Monday...Cleveland won 11 of its 18 matchups with the Tigers last season and is 13-8 in its 21 most recent visits to Detroit.