Leonys Martin doubled in the go-ahead run in the fifth inning as the Tigers held on to beat the Rays 2-1 at Comerica Park.
Nick Castellanos doubled in the other run in the third for Detroit, which had lost five-of-six coming in.
Matthew Boyd struck out seven over six innings of one-run ball for his first win. Shane Greene closed it out for his fifth save.
Matt Duffy drove in Tampa Bay's lone run on a fielder's choice in the fifth inning.
Chris Archer dropped to 2-and-2 with the tough-luck loss. The Rays have lost two-of-three since an eight-game winning streak.
In the series rubber match this afternoon, Michael Fulmer goes to the hill for Detroit while Blake Snell gets the start for Tampa.