Tigers 5, Pirates 2: Max Scherzer struck out a season-high 14 over eight scoreless innings as Detroit defeated visiting Pittsburgh to sweep a two-game interleague series.

J.D. Martinez homered and knocked in a pair of runs while Nick Castellanos also had two hits and two RBIs as the Tigers remained a half-game behind first-place Kansas City in the American League Central. Scherzer (14-4) took over the AL lead in wins, allowing three hits and two walks, as Detroit equaled its season high with its fifth straight home victory.

Gaby Sanchez belted a pinch-hit, two-run homer off Phil Coke in the ninth inning for the Pirates, who dropped 2 1/2 games behind first-place Milwaukee in the National League Central. Pittsburgh starter Francisco Liriano (3-9) yielded two runs on three hits over six innings with nine strikeouts.

Scherzer struck out six of the first seven batters he faced and stranded a runner at second base in both the second and fourth innings. Liriano retired 10 straight before Martinez hammered a 1-1 slider into the left-field seats for his 16th of the season to open the scoring in the fifth.

The Tigers had a chance to break it open in the sixth by putting runners at second and third with none out, but managed just one run on Martinez's bases-loaded walk. Miguel Cabrera doubled and later scored on an error in the eighth before Castellanos singled home two more for Detroit.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Scherzer struck out at least 10 in six games this season and has fanned 58 in 41 1/3 innings against the Pirates overall – including a career-high 15 on May 20, 2012. … Pittsburgh C Russell Martin, who boasts an 11-game hitting streak, got the day off. … The Tigers host Seattle to begin a three-game set, and Pittsburgh visits Washington for the first of three contests on Friday.