The Sports Xchange
Aug 20, 2017
DETROIT -- Justin Verlander gave up two hits in eight innings and Justin Upton hit a two-run homer to cap a four-run sixth that helped the scuffling Detroit Tigers end the Los Angeles Dodgers' six-game winning streak with a 6-1 victory on Sunday at Comerica Park.
Dodgers newcomer Curtis Granderson broke up Verlander's no-hit bid with two outs in the sixth inning when he lined a 2-2 slider off the foul pole in right field for his 20th home run, a drive that was his first homer with Los Angeles.
Daniel Stumpf finished the game for Detroit, giving up one hit in the ninth.
Dodgers starter Kenta Maeda (11-5) lost his perfect game bid when John Hicks led off the sixth with a line single to left center on an 0-1 slider and before the inning ended Detroit scored four for a 4-1 lead.
Andrew Romine lined a double to left center, also on an 0-1 slider, and both scored when Dixon Machado drilled a double to left off third baseman Justin Turner's glove. Two outs later, Upton hit his 26th home run, a drive into the Detroit bullpen in left off a 1-1 slider.
Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run double off the wall in right center with one out in the eighth to make it 6-1. Ian Kinsler had singled off reliever Tony Cingrani and pinch-hitter JaCoby Jones walked, nearly outrunning Kinsler to the plate on Cabrera's double.
Verlander, still the subject of trade rumors since he reportedly has cleared waivers, retired six in a row after Granderson's home run before Austin Barnes singled to right on a 3-1 pitch with two outs in the eighth.
Verlander (9-8) struck out nine and walked just one in eight innings.
Verlander and Maeda matched no-hit innings through the fifth. Maeda retired all 15 he faced and Verlander set down the first 13 before walking Yasiel Puig in the fifth. He struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
Maeda lasted six innings, striking out seven without a walk. All the hits and runs he allowed were in the sixth.
The Dodgers had a six-game winning streak snapped but still have won 21 of their last 25 and are 52-10 since June 7.
The Tigers stopped a six-game losing streak but still have dropped eight of 10 and 12 of their last 15.
NOTES: Los Angeles LHP Clayton Kershaw will pitch three simulated game innings Monday. If he comes out of that OK he will begin a minor league rehab assignment. ... Detroit 3B Nicholas Castellanos, whose muff of a popup Saturday led to the first Los Angeles run, was not in the starting lineup. "It's more about getting Andrew Romine into a game," manager Brad Ausmus said. ... Dodgers OF/1B Cody Bellinger did not start after suffering a right ankle sprain making a catch against the left field wall on Saturday. Manager Dave Roberts said Bellinger might be able to start Monday in Pittsburgh.