Indians 7, Tigers 0: Carlos Santana hit a two-run homer and Jose Ramirez had three hits and scored twice as Cleveland rolled past visiting Detroit.

Danny Salazar (6-6) struck out nine and allowed eight hits while pitching his first career shutout as the Indians pulled within four games of the Tigers for the American League’s second wild card. Detroit slipped to 1 1/2 games behind first-place Kansas City in the AL Central and Cleveland is 5 1/2 games behind the Royals.

Justin Verlander (12-12) was torched by the Indians for seven runs (six earned) and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. The right-hander dropped to 18-16 in 39 career starts against Cleveland.

Ramirez singled in the first and Santana clubbed a homer to right later in the inning. Lonnie Chisenhall doubled in a run in the fourth inning and later scored when Yan Gomes dropped a bloop single into shallow right field.

Michael Bourn’s line single to center in the seventh gave the Indians a 5-0 lead. Ramirez followed with a run-scoring double and he scored on Michael Brantley’s line single to right.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Salazar has allowed just one earned run in 20 innings over his last three starts. … Detroit C Alex Avila wasn’t in the lineup but was cleared to play one day after being hit in the mask with a foul tip. … Indians RHP Josh Tomlin was activated from the paternity list.