It just doesn’t stop for Justin Verlander.
Every single time he steps out to the mound for the Tigers, he gives them a chance to win which is exactly what he did today during Detroit’s 3-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
After going eight innings allowing only 3 hits, 3 walks and striking out 6, Verlander notched his 24th win of the season and his 12 consecutive victory. He recently passed up Earl Whitehill (1930) and Hal Newhouser (1946) for the Tigers’ record for most consecutive starts won. Now only Bobo Newsom’s team record of 13 consecutive victories, set in 1940 stands in front of Verlander. Newsom’s record however didn’t come on thirteen consecutive starts.
With one more start before the postseason, Verlander looks primed and ready to go.
In the ninth inning closer Jose Valverde continued his brilliance as he recorded his 46th save of the season in as many tries.
There were also other positives taken from this game besides the win, Verlander’s performance and Valverde’s save.
Austin Jackson broke out of a zero for 19 slump in which he struck out 22 times while going 4-for-48 in his last 13 games.
He hit a solo home run off former Tigers prospect Guillermo Moscoso who the Tigers traded to Texas after the 2008 season for catcher Gerald Laird.
It wasn’t all good for the Tigers though.
In the fourth inning Carlos Guillen had to be taken out due to a strained calf. He is scheduled to be reevaluated in Kansas City on Monday.
| Detroit | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | LOB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, A, CF | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .248 |
| Kelly, 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .235 |
| a-Inge, PH-3B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .203 |
| Young, D, LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .271 |
| Cabrera, Mi, 1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .331 |
| Martinez, V, DH | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .324 |
| Avila, C | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | .297 |
| Guillen, 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .232 |
| Raburn, 2B-RF | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .250 |
| Dirks, RF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .246 |
| Worth, 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .278 |
| Santiago, SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .266 |
| Totals | 32 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 15 | .274 |
a-Doubled for Kelly in the 8th.
| Oakland | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | LOB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks, 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .298 |
| Sizemore, S, 3B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .241 |
| Crisp, CF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .272 |
| Willingham, LF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .254 |
| DeJesus, RF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .237 |
| Carter, DH | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | .121 |
| Allen, 1B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .213 |
| Suzuki, K, C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .241 |
| Sogard, SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .193 |
| Totals | 28 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | .246 |
2B: Inge (10, Breslow), Raburn (20, Outman).
HR: Jackson, A (10, 6th inning off Moscoso, 0 on, 0 out).
TB: Jackson, A 5; Inge 2; Avila; Raburn 2.
RBI: Jackson, A (43), Inge (23), Santiago (29).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Santiago; Martinez, V; Jackson, A.
SAC: Santiago.
Team RISP: 0-for-6.
Team LOB: 7.
FIELDING
Outfield assists: Young, D (Willingham at 1st base).
DP: (Young, D-Guillen-Cabrera, Mi).
TB: Sizemore, S; Crisp; DeJesus.
Team LOB: 4.
BASERUNNING
CS: Sizemore, S (3, 2nd base by Verlander/Avila).
FIELDING
E: Moscoso (2, missed catch).
IBB: Cabrera, Mi (by Breslow).
Pitches-strikes: Verlander 116-66, Valverde 16-9, Moscoso 110-70, Fuentes 16-8, Breslow 17-8, Outman 16-9, Carignan 5-3.
Groundouts-flyouts: Verlander 4-8, Valverde 1-0, Moscoso 4-7, Fuentes 2-0, Breslow 2-0, Outman 1-1, Carignan 0-0.
Batters faced: Verlander 28, Valverde 3, Moscoso 22, Fuentes 4, Breslow 6, Outman 4, Carignan 1.
Inherited runners-scored: Carignan 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Mike DiMuro. 1B: Andy Fletcher. 2B: Eric Cooper. 3B: Jim Reynolds.
Weather: 73 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 8 mph, L to R.
T: 2:56.
Att: 18,405.
Re: Detroit News, MLB.com
