Doug Fister continued his string of stellar performances with seven scoreless innings as the Detroit Tigers picked up their ninth straight win and third straight series sweep with a 2-1 victory over the visiting Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

Former Twin Delmon Young drove in a run among two hits for the Tigers, who trimmed their magic number to clinch the American League Central to eight. Detroit leads the Chicago White Sox by an even 10 games.

Fister (8-13), who allowed three hits and struck out five on Sunday, has firmly cemented himself as the No. 2 man on the Tigers’ staff. The righthander has surrendered a total of three earned runs in 36 2/3 innings over his last five starts.

Detroit got Fister all the support he would need in the first when Austin Jackson, Magglio Ordonez and Young led off with three straight singles off rookie lefthander Scott Diamond (1-4). Miguel Cabrera reached on an error and the second run came in when Victor Martinez grounded into a double play.

Jose Valverde allowed a run in the ninth but struck out Rene Tosoni with the tying run on second to secure his 43rd save in as many opportunities.