Justin Verlander tossed six strong innings, Ryan Raburn belted a two-run homer and the Detroit Tigers fended off a late rally for a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
Brandon Inge drove in the Tigers’ other run as they avoided the three-game sweep.
Verlander (13-7) outdueled Matt Garza, allowing a run on six hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked three to snap a personal two-game losing streak.
The Rays made things interesting in the ninth off closer Jose Valverde. B.J. Upton lead off the frame with a walk, stole second and took third on a throwing error. He would score on John Jaso’s groundout to first. But Valverde then induced a fly out to end the threat for his 22nd save.
Garza (11-7) took his second straight loss by surrendering three runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Inge got to Garza with a single that plated Miguel Cabrera in the second, before Raburn connected for his fourth blast of the campaign in the sixth.
Matt Joyce singled home a run for the Rays.
Tampa Bay | Detroit | |
Matt Garza | Player | Justin Verlander |
Loss | W/L | Win |
5.2 | IP | 6.0 |
4 | Strikeouts | 7 |
7 | Hits | 6 |
4.76 | ERA | 1.50 |
Tampa Bay | Detroit | |
Matthew Joyce | Player | Ryan Raburn |
2 | Hits | 2 |
1 | RBI | 2 |
0 | HR | 1 |
2 | TB | 5 |
.667 | Avg | .500 |