The Indians came, they saw, they take 2 of 3 from Detroit

It might have taken the Indians 10 innings, and the grittiest pitching performance of the season by the Tribe, but they went out and beat the Detroit Tigers this afternoon 3-1 in 10 innings. The prevail in this 3 game series on the road to push their lead in the AL Central to 2 1/2 games. Cleveland starter Jake Westbrook, who allowed five hits and two walks in eight innings, has won three of his previous five outings after starting 1-6.

Down 3-0, the Tigers still had a chance to win a series for the first time since mid-July. Marcus Thames hit an RBI double with two outs in the 10th off Joe Borowski, putting a pair of runners in scoring position, but Ivan Rodriguez popped out to end it.

With Seattle and New York playing well in the wild-card race, the Indians and Tigers might be competing for only one spot in the postseason. They’re scheduled to play only one more series, a three-game set Sept. 17-19 in Cleveland.

Grady Sizemore, back in the leadoff spot, had two hits on the day in 5 at-bats.

[Box Score]