Delmon Young belted a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning as the host Detroit Tigers pushed the New York Yankees to the brink of elimination with a 5-4 victory Monday night in Game 3 of the American League Divisional Series.

Young drilled a first-pitch fastball off reliever Rafael Soriano (0-1) into the seats in right field for his second homer of the series.

Justin Verlander (1-0) made it stand, overcoming a pair of two-run innings to strike out 11 in eight innings and remain unbeaten since July 15.

Closer Jose Valverde, who converted all 49 save chances during the regular season, worked around a pair of walks in the ninth to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. Detroit can close out the Yankees on Tuesday at Comerica Park when Rick Porcello matches up with New York's A.J. Burnett.

Ramon Santiago had two hits and two RBIs for the Tigers, who are trying to match the 2006 team that beat the Yankees three straight in the ALDS after losing the series opener.

Verlander, who led the majors in wins and strikeouts, improved to 13-0 in his last 14 starts. He gave up four runs on six hits in beating New York for the first time this season.

His much anticipated duel with Yankees ace CC Sabathia never materialized after rain had ended their matchup after only 1 1/2 innings Friday night.

Sabathia struggled with his control from the outset and allowed four runs and a season-high six walks in a season-low 5 1/3 innings.

Jhonny Peralta's RBI double off Sabathia in the sixth had given the Tigers a 4-2 lead, but the Yankees evened it on Brett Gardner's two-run double in the seventh.