Tigers 3 - 2 Pirates
Final
  for this game

Verlander helps Tigers avoid sweep

Jun 25, 2012 - 12:48 AM

Video

Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Justin Verlander went the distance for the fourth time this season as the Detroit Tigers topped the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-2, in the finale of a three-game interleague set at PNC Park.

Verlander (8-4), who dazzled Pittsburgh hitters for six frames until he surrendered a two-homer in the seventh, allowed just five hits and struck out seven to get his third consecutive win.

"We had the horse going, and (Verlander) pitched how the horse is supposed to pitch," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. "He did a great job, he left the change up up to Jones and he hit it out, but he was terrific and closed it out."

Quintin Berry hit a two-run homer and scored the winning run on a Delmon Young single in the eighth, and Austin Jackson had a pair of hits and scored once for the Tigers, who avoided the three-game sweep.

Chris Resop (0-3) was pegged with the loss after giving up Young's RBI single. Kevin Correia started for Pittsburgh and gave up two runs on six hits and fanned four over six innings.

Garrett Jones hit a two run homer, and Pedro Alvarez had a hit and scored once for the Pirates, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

The Tigers wasted no time and jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first. Jackson singled to open the inning before Berry crushed a two-run homer into the right field seats.

Pittsburgh tied the game at 2-2 in the seventh when Jones crushed a two-run homer to right. Alvarez singled before Jones' ninth home run of the season.

"It was a nice swing," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He left a change up up, Garret (Jones) stayed on it and got through it. We played hard today."

But Detroit answered back in the eighth to take a 3-2 lead. Berry walked, stole second, then scored when Young singled to right.

Josh Harrison lifted a deep fly to left in the eighth, but Ryan Raburn made a jumping catch in front of the wall to rob Harrison of a potential game-tying homer.

Verlander retired the side in order in the ninth to seal the win.

"I actually didn't feel particularly great," Verlander said. "But at least my location was there. I located pretty well and got a lot of weak contact because of that."

Game Notes

The Tigers have scored at least one run in 140 consecutive games...Verlander has 18 career complete games...Raburn started the game at second but moved to left field in the eighth when Danny Worth replaced Young...Berry's two- run homer was the first of his career...The Pirates claimed Drew Sutton off waivers and recalled pitcher Bryan Morris from Triple- A Indianapolis on Sunday. They also optioned Jordy Mercer to Indianapolis and transferred Charlie Morton from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list...Pittsburgh outfielder Andrew McCutchen went 0-for-4 and had a seven- game hitting streak snapped...The Pirates are 17-12 in one-run games.






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