Tigers 3, Red Sox 2: Austin Jackson drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to cap a three-hit day as host Detroit overcame some bullpen woes to start its division title defense.

Justin Verlander pitched eight scoreless innings before Jose Valverde (1-0) came on and blew the save. But the Tigers got it right back in the ninth.

The Red Sox brought on newcomer Mark Melancon (0-1) to start the ninth and Detroit put a pair of runners on with back-to-back one-out singles from Jhonny Peralta and Alex Avila. Alfredo Aceves came on and hit a batter before Jackson sent the walk-off single into left field.

The relief problems for both teams obscured a pitcher’s duel between Jon Lester and Verlander, who ended up striking out seven batters.

The Tigers decided to pull Verlander after 105 pitches, and the Red Sox took advantage. Dustin Pedroia led off the ninth with a double and scored on David Ortiz’s sacrifice fly two batters later.

Ryan Sweeney tripled into the right field corner to plate pinch-runner Darnell McDonald with the tying run.

Alex Avila drove in the first run in the seventh with a double and Prince Fielder recorded his first RBI as a Tiger on a sacrifice fly off Franklin Morales in the eighth.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Jacoby Ellsbury, who finished second to Verlander in the 2011 MVP vote, went 0-for-4. … Miguel Cabrera made an error at third base as he transitions back across the infield. … Valverde had not blown a save since Sept. 2010.