Ellsbury, Yankees edge Tigers

Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Jacoby Ellsbury went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and two walks in the New York Yankees' 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on a cold Thursday afternoon.

Brian McCann's RBI groundout in the eighth inning produced the game-winning run for the Yankees, who took the final three games of this four-game set.

New York starter Masahiro Tanaka allowed one run on three hits while striking out six and walking two over 6 1/3 innings. Dellin Betances (3-0) picked up the win after tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings, while Andrew Miller pitched a perfect ninth for his sixth save of the season.

"When you win six of seven, a lot of it has to do with your starting pitching," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "They are holding teams down late into games and letting us get into the bullpen. From there, if you get a few timely hits, you win the game."

The Yankees, who went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven, finished 7-3 on a 10-game road trip.

Victor Martinez drove in the lone run for the Tigers. Anibal Sanchez got the start and gave up one run on one hit while striking out eight and walking four over 6 1/3 frames.

"I don't think the cold weather helps anyone," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "I'd bet that scoring is down in April across the board as opposed to the rest of the year."

Tom Gorzelanny (0-1), who got the final two outs of the seventh, stayed on to pitch the eighth for Detroit with the game tied at 1-1. Ellsbury led off with a double to left-center field, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on McCann's groundout to put the Yankees ahead.

Earlier, the Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first. Anthony Gose led off with a double, moved to third when Ian Kinsler grounded out and scored on Martinez's sacrifice fly.

New York's Carlos Beltran struck out swinging with runners on second and third in the third to keep it a one-run game.

Beltran came up again with a man on third and one out in the sixth, but struck out swinging again for the second out. The Yankees did score the tying run, however, as Ellsbury crossed the plate on a balk by Sanchez. Ausmus came out to argue and was ejected.

The Tigers put men on the corners with two outs in the seventh. Betances was called in from the bullpen and retired Nick Castellanos to end the threat.

Game Notes

Detroit announced before the game that closer Joe Nathan will miss the remainder of the season because of a right elbow injury that will require surgery ... J.D. Martinez had two doubles for the Tigers, who went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded four.