Detroit Tigers' Ramon Santiago hits an RBI double against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning of Game 3 in their MLB American League Division Series baseball playoffs in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit Tigers' Ramon Santiago hits an RBI double against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning of Game 3 in their MLB American League Division Series baseball playoffs in Detroit, Michigan, October 3, 2011. Reuters

Delmon Young hit the winning home run and the Detroit Tigers survived a ninth-inning scare to hold off the New York Yankees 5-4 at Comerica Park on Monday and take control of their best-of-five divisional playoff series.

Detroit closer Jose Valverde struck out New York's Derek Jeter with two runners on base in the top of the ninth to give the Tigers a 2-1 series lead and a chance to eliminate the Yankees with a Game Four win back in Detroit on Tuesday.

In a rematch of two of baseball's top pitchers, who had their series opening showdown postponed after just 1 innings because of rain Friday, Justin Verlander edged CC Sabathia after Young broke a 4-4 tie with his seventh inning blast.

Verlander struck out 11 batters in eight innings, though he allowed a game-tying two-run double in the top of the seventh, to get the better of Sabathia, who gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings.

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