The Red Sox posed danger when cleanup hitter Mitch Moreland doubled to lead off the sixth inning, but Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann got out of the jam.
The Tigers lead 3-2 after six innings.
Moreland advanced to third base on a ground out by Andrew Benintendi.
But from there, Zimmermann induced a ground out from Hanley Ramirez and then used a 93-mph, four-seam fastball to strike out Jackie Bradley Jr. and end the threat.
Zimmermann has struck out three and walked three in six innings. He’s thrown 94 pitches.
Top 6: Iglesias singles, but nothing happens
Jose Iglesias (2-for-3) battled Red Sox reliever Heath Hembree in a nine-pitch at-bat that ended with a single, but the Tigers could not produce a run.