Ryan Raburn hit a three-run homer in the fifth and drove in four runs as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Washington Nationals 7-4 on Tuesday night.

The Tigers scored seven times in the second through fifth innings. Trailing 4-2 the Tigers tied the game in the fourth on Magglio Ordonez's RBI double and Carlos Guillen's sacrifice fly. Raburn put the Tigers ahead for good with his first home run of the season. He was manning center field and batting leadoff in place of Austin Jackson, who missed the game with soreness in his back.

Scherzer (3-6) struggled early in allowing a run in the first, two in the third and one in the fourth on Mike Morse’s solo homer.

Scherzer then recovered BY striking out the side in the fifth and retiring the side in order in the sixth. He gave up four runs (three earned) and seven hits in six innings. Scherzer struck out nine and walked two.

Jose Valverde struck out two in the ninth and recorded his 14th save.

Nationals starter Jon Lannan (2-4) continued his poor pitching. He allowed seven runs (six earned) and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings. Lannan walked four and struck out one.