Indians beat Verlander, hold on for 7-6 win over Detroit when Perez gets Cabrera in 9th

Cleveland Indians' Michael Bourn, right, scores past Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila on an Asdrubal Cabrera single in the sixth inning tonight in Detroit.

DETROIT (AP) — Ubaldo Jimenez outpitched Justin Verlander, and Cleveland’s Chris Perez got Miguel Cabrera to hit a game-ending groundout with two on to preserve the Indians’ 7-6 win over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night.

Verlander (4-3) was erratic early, allowing three runs in the first two innings. He settled a bit after that, but the Indians took a 6-1 lead before Detroit closed the gap with a four-run seventh.

It was 7-5 when Perez allowed an unearned run in the ninth, but with men on first and second, Cabrera hit a weak grounder to third to end it.

It was Perez’s sixth save.

Jimenez (3-2) allowed a run and three hits in six innings, striking out eight with one walk.