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Verlander, Tigers aim for series win over Cubs

Jun 14, 2012 - 2:50 PM (Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers can lock up their fifth series win in six interleague matchups with the Chicago Cubs today when they visit Wrigley Field to close out a three-game affair.

The hosts won Tuesday's opener, but Detroit pulled even Wednesday when Brennan Boesch went 4-for-5 with a solo homer, two runs batted in and two runs scored in an 8-4 triumph.

The Tigers won both games when the teams met for the first time in 1998, then won two of three in 2000 and swept the Cubs in both 2006 and 2009.

Chicago's only series win came in 2001, when it took two of three at home between July 6 and 8.

On Wednesday, Jhonny Peralta went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored for the Tigers, who bounced back from a 4-3 loss in the opener. Ramon Santiago knocked in two runs.

"There's been a lot of talk about our win/loss record up to this point," Boesch said. "But we've been scratching out some wins lately and that's building character in this clubhouse."

Detroit starter Rick Porcello (4-4) gave up four runs on nine hits over five innings to pick up his first win since May 6. He struck out five and walked one.

Joe Mather, Tony Campana, Alfonso Soriano and Bryan LaHair each had an RBI for the Cubs, who had a brief two-game winning streak snapped.

Matt Garza (2-5) allowed five runs - three earned - on seven hits over six full frames to take the loss.

"It is what it is, you know," Garza said. "I'm just gonna do the same old thing and get ready for the next one. I felt great tonight and felt like I could have went further."

Starting for the Tigers in the finale is reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander, who meets the Cubs for the second time in his career.

The 29-year-old Virginian won 24 games last season but hasn't won this year since May 18, when he went the distance, allowed a hit and struck out 12 against Pittsburgh.

In four starts since, he's 0-3 with a no-decision while allowing 12 earned runs in 26 1/3 innings.

He's 3-2 in seven road starts in 2012 with a 3.56 earned run average across 48 innings.

The Cubs go with lefty Travis Wood, who makes a sixth effort at a first win in a Chicago uniform.

The 25-year-old win six games last season with Cincinnati before heading to the Cubs in a trade for reliever Sean Marshall.

He's bounced between the minors and the majors this spring and is winless in five big-league starts, losing two decisions while amassing a 4.71 ERA in 28 2/3 innings.

Wood, who has a 7.36 ERA in two starts at Wrigley, has never faced the Tigers.