Tigers continue dominance of Cleveland with 10-1 win

Victor Martinez drove in three runs as the Detroit Tigers ripped into Cleveland early for a 10-1 beatdown to drop the Indians 8 1/2 games back in the AL Central.

While the Tigers have not yet secured their first division title since winning the AL East in 1987, they are closing in on the Central crown after pushing around both the Indians and Chicago White Sox, who are now in 2nd place (8 games behind Detroit) due to their win against Minnesota.

Detroit has won five straight and is 15-4 since Aug. 19. The Tigers arrived in Cleveland following a three-game series sweep against Chicago and now have won their last six meetings against the Indians after the Tribe took six of the first eight.

Rick Porcello (13-8 ) gave up one run and three hits over 6 1/3 innings. He allowed only a single to Jason Kipnis in the second before Kosuke Fukudome homered to open Cleveland’s 7th inning.