(AP) -- DETROIT - Miguel Cabrera homered and drove in three runs, and the Detroit Tigers held off the New York Yankees 6-5 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight victory.
New York scored twice off closer Jose Valverde in the ninth inning and had runners at second and third when Curtis Granderson popped up for the final out. The AL East leaders have lost 12 of 18.
Cabrera has moved into the MVP race by hitting .333 since the All-Star break with 11 homers and 24 RBIs in 24 games. Andy Dirks added three hits and two RBIs for the Tigers, who are chasing the first-place White Sox in the AL Central.
Rick Porcello (9-6) picked up the win, allowing three runs and eight hits in 6 2-3 innings. He struck out three and didn't walk a batter.
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