DETROIT -- Jacoby Ellsbury scored both of the New York Yankees' runs and their pitchers limited the Detroit Tigers to three hits in a 2-1 victory on Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park.

The Yankees' center fielder walked twice and had one of their three hits, an eighth-inning double that led to the go-ahead run. Reliever Dellin Betances (3-0) retired all four batters he faced to get the victory, New York's third straight and sixth in its last seven games.

Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka held the Tigers to one run on three hits while striking out six in 6 1/3 innings. Andrew Miller pitched the ninth for New York (9-7) to collect his sixth save.

Detroit starter Anibal Sanchez gave up only one run on one hit and four walks while striking out eight in 6 1/3 innings. Right fielder J.D. Martinez led the offense with two doubles.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus was ejected in the sixth inning by third-base umpire Gerry Davis for arguing a late balk call that tied the game. With Ellsbury at third and two out, Sanchez altered his delivery while being distracted by Ellsbury.

The high and outside toss with catcher Brain McCann at the plate was not immediately called a balk. When Ellsbury and on-deck hitter Chase Headley complained, the umpires met and decided there was an infraction.

Ellsbury, who had led off the inning with a walk, trotted home to make it 1-1.

Ellsbury scored the go-ahead run in the eighth after his leadoff double off reliever Tom Gorzelanny (0-1). He advanced on a sacrifice and, after an intentional walk to designated hitter Carlos Beltran, scored on McCann's groundout. The infield was drawn in, but the grounder deflected off first baseman Miguel Cabrera's glove, giving Ellsbury time to score as second baseman Ian Kinsler threw out McCann.

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first. Center fielder Anthony Gose led off with a double, advanced on a groundout and scored on designated hitter Victor Martinez's sacrifice fly.

NOTES: Detroit RHP Joe Nathan will undergo season-ending surgery after being diagnosed with a UCL tear and flexor pronator tear in his pitching arm. Nathan, who was on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain, suffered the injury throwing a fastball during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday. ... The Tigers recalled RHP Alex Wilson and optioned LHP Ian Krol to Toledo on Thursday. Wilson, acquired from the Boston Red Sox during the offseason, was 1-0 with three saves and didn't allow a run in four appearances with the Mud Hens. Krol, who pitched Tuesday and Wednesday, is 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA. ... Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez was not in the starting lineup as manager Joe Girardi decided to give him the day off. Rodriguez, who is hitting .265 with four home runs and 11 RBIs, will return to the lineup on Friday. ... The Yankees have turned an American League-high 19 double plays.