Tigers 4, Indians 0: Justin Verlander tossed seven sizzling innings for just his second win in his last seven starts and Miguel Cabrera and Brennan Boesch each had two hits and an RBI for visiting Detroit.
Austin Jackson and Delmon Young also drove in runs for the Tigers, who won their third straight to remain a game behind the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central race. The White Sox cruised to a 6-0 triumph over Minnesota on Friday.
Verlander (14-8) allowed six hits and struck out as many while walking one. Joaquin Benoit worked a 1-2-3 eighth and Jose Valverde pitched around a one-out walk in a non-save situation in the ninth to complete the six-hit shutout.
The Tigers did all their damage early, as Young and Boesch lined run-scoring singles in the first for a 2-0 lead. Jackson added an RBI double and Cabrera had an RBI single in the second.
The Indians' bullpen retired the last 12 batters and 19 of the 21 to keep Cleveland in it, but the Indians went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Cabrera has 119 RBIs, eight shy of his career high set in 2008. … Detroit 1B Prince Fielder was hit by a pitch for the 16th time this season, tying him with San Diego's Carlos Quentin for the major-league lead. … The Indians have been shut out 10 times this season. The Tigers have posted five shutouts. Verlander has started two of the five.
Detroit | Cleveland | |
Justin Verlander | Player | Corey Kluber |
Win | W/L | Loss |
7.0 | IP | 5.0 |
6 | Strikeouts | 5 |
6 | Hits | 8 |
0.00 | ERA | 7.20 |
Detroit | Cleveland | |
Brennan Boesch | Player | Lonnie Chisenhall |
2 | Hits | 2 |
1 | RBI | 0 |
0 | HR | 0 |
3 | TB | 3 |
.667 | Avg | .667 |