The Tigers assured that they would at least hold their place three games outside the American League Wild Card hunt, pending the outcome of the Blue Jays' game in Anaheim, while Cleveland's magic number held at seven for clinching its first AL Central title in nine years.
"It was necessary for us. We had to win," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "Pretty much every game against Cleveland is a must-win."
Justin Upton's two-run home run helped power a six-run showing by the Tigers against an erratic Trevor Bauer, who tied a club record by hitting three batters in a game.