Rockies 2 - 4 Tigers
Final
  for this game

Verlander helps Tigers drop Rockies

Aug 2, 2014 - 4:53 AM Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Justin Verlander pitched eight strong innings and Rajai Davis finished with two RBI and two runs scored as the Detroit Tigers held on to beat the Colorado Rockies, 4-2.

Verlander (10-9), who is now 25-2 for his career against National League opponents, allowed two runs and struck out five, while not allowing a walk.

"He went out there and attacked the hitters," Davis said of Verlander. "We played good defense behind him and we were fortunate enough to win."

Ian Kinsler hit an RBI double during a three-run fifth inning and Victor Martinez had an RBI single for the Tigers, who won for just the second time in their last seven games.

Franklin Morales (5-6) gave up three runs and walked four in six innings of work, leaving the Rockies at 2-16 in their last 18 road games.

After four scoreless innings, the Tigers were first on the board with three runs in the fifth. Bryan Holaday singled and Eugenio Suarez doubled down the line in left to put runners on second and third. Davis grounded one into center for a single, scoring Holaday and Suarez, and Kinsler hit a ground ball down the third base line to plate Davis.

Carlos Gonzalez made a sliding catch in foul territory to end the inning. He left the game after reaggravating his right ankle sprain after sliding into the wall on the play.

"Sliding into the wall making that catch was a great play, but he got his ankle. It's the same ankle that he's been nursing," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.

Justin Morneau and Brandon Barnes, who replaced Gonzalez in right field, started the seventh with back-to-back singles for the Rockies. A groundout by Drew Stubbs moved the runners over to second and third and a single by Wilin Rosario scored Morneau. Josh Rutledge hit a ground ball to third and Barnes slid under Holaday's tag at the plate to cut the lead to 3-2.

After Victor Martinez singled in Davis to make the score 4-2, Torii Hunter walked to load the bases. J.D. Martinez came to the plate with a chance to extend Detroit's lead, but grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

Joe Nathan allowed two men to reach base in the ninth, but got Charlie Blackmon to fly out to end the game for his 22nd save of the season.

Game Notes

The Rockies were just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position, while the Tigers were 2-for-9. Both teams left eight men on base ... Verlander has won each of his last 14 starts against National League foes. His .926 winning percentage in interleague play leads all active pitchers with at least 10 decisions during interleague play ... The Tigers and Rockies last met in 2012 with the Tigers taking two out of three games ... Prior to the game, the Tigers selected the contract of Ezequiel Carrera from Triple-A Toledo and activated pitcher Pat McCoy from the 15-day disabled list. Carrera entered the game in the ninth and played center field.






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