Tigers 2 - 6 Guardians
Final
  for this game

Verlander toes rubber versus Indians

May 20, 2014 - 2:45 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Justin Verlander tries to get the Detroit Tigers back into the win column on Tuesday when they continue a three-game series with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

Verlander won for the fifth time in six decisions on Wednesday in Baltimore, despite a shaky outing that saw him surrender five runs and six hits with three walks in six innings. Still, he improved to 5-2 to go along with a 3.15 ERA.

"Walks are never good," Verlander said. "I seem to always have one or two in a big inning. I need to limit that a little bit."

Verlander gave up three unearned runs in a win over the Tribe earlier in the year and is 18-14 lifetime against them with a 4.28 ERA in 36 starts.

Detroit saw its 11-game road winning streak come to an end on Monday, as Michael Brantley belted a game-winning home run with two outs in the 10th inning to propel Cleveland to a 5-4 win.

Tigers pinch-hitter J.D. Martinez had tied the game with a one-out solo shot off Cody Allen in the ninth, but Brantley laced a 3-2 pitch from Al Alburquerque (1-1) over the right-field wall in the 10th to help the Indians snap a four-game losing streak.

"The way it ended was great," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "Brantley's been so big for us."

Rajai Davis drove in two runs, Miguel Cabrera collected three hits, and Victor Martinez smashed his 11th homer of the season for the Tigers, who had won six straight overall.

Getting the call for the Indians on Tuesday will be Trevor Bauer, who will replace the demoted Danny Salazar in the rotation. Bauer was 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA for the Tribe before being sent to Triple-A Columbus.

He was 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA in seven starts for the Clippers.

"Hopefully what the really good part of this will be is it's not just a one- start thing," Francona said. "This guy is a big part of what we want to do going forward. And to see him growing and understanding, it's exciting."

Detroit split a two-game series with the Tribe earlier in the year. The Tigers were 9-1 a year ago at Progressive Field.






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