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Verlander fans 14, Tigers blank D-Backs

Jun 26, 2011 - 4:06 AM Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Justin Verlander notched a career-high 14 strikeouts over eight scoreless innings, Alex Avila drove in four runs, and the Detroit Tigers took a 6-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks to even up a three-game interleague set.

Verlander (10-3) became the second pitcher in the majors to collect 10 wins this season after allowing just four hits and a walk for the Tigers, who pulled back into a first-place Central Division tie with the Cleveland Indians.

Earlier Saturday, the Yankees' CC Sabathia became the first major league 10- game winner against the Rockies, but no pitcher in the league has been hotter than Verlander. His last loss came on April 27, and since then, he has a career-high eight decision win streak which includes a no-hitter on May 7 at Toronto.

"It's not a goal of mine to have 10 wins before the break," Verlander said. "I just go out there every five days and pitch and do everything I can to help this team win."

Gerardo Parra had a pair of doubles for the Diamondbacks, who had a seven-game road win streak snapped.

Arizona rookie starter Josh Collmenter (4-4) had his homecoming game spoiled in six-plus innings. The Homer, Michigan native gave up six runs on 10 hits and fanned four with many of his hometown fans in attendance.

"I made a couple bad pitches," Collmenter said. "Singles are OK, but the double and home run hurt me. I just left some of the pitches over the plate."

Victor Martinez started to spoil Collmenter's return with a bloop single into left in the second. He then scored on Avila's double that went deep into the right-center gap for a 1-0 lead.

The Tigers added onto that lead in the fourth. Miguel Cabrera led off with a single and moved to third on Martinez's soft liner down the left line. Cabrera scored easily on Jhonny Peralta's double which was followed up by Avila's three-run blast into the first row of seats in right for a 5-0 lead.

Martinez's groundout scored Austin Jackson in the seventh to make it a nice 6-0 cushion for Verlander, who got in a little trouble in the eighth.

He walked leadoff man Juan Miranda and gave up a Parra double to put runners on second and third. However, the flame throwing right-hander struck out the next three batters to round out another stellar outing.

Jose Valverde came on in the ninth to close out the win for Detroit.

Game Notes

It's Verlander's fourth 10 strikeout or more game in his last five starts. He struck out every Diamondback hitter he saw at least once...The Tigers will retire Sparky Anderson's number prior to Sunday's game. Anderson will become the 10th person, only the second manager, to have his number retired by more than one major league club. Casey Stengel is the only other manager to receive the honor, having his number retired by both the Yankees and Mets.