Tigers, BoSox split twin bill in Detroit

DETROIT — Jose Valverde and David Ortiz had the two biggest matchups of an exhausting Sunday.

Home sweet home: Tigers runner Andy Dirks slides home as Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek waits for the throw on Sunday in Detroit. The Tigers won 3-0 to earn a split in a day-night doubleheader. AP PHOTO

They split, and as a result, so did the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox.

Nearly seven hours after Ortiz's ninth-inning homer off Valverde gave the Red Sox a 4-3 victory in the first game of a day-night doubleheader, the Tigers closer retired Ortiz to finish off a 3-0 win in the nightcap.

"It was the same for me — I didn't feel anything different," Valverde said. "He's a good hitter and there's nothing you can do about that, but the second game was my time."

In the second game, Justin Verlander (5-3) allowed four hits and walked two in 7? shutout innings, throwing a career-high 132 pitches.

"He's a real proud guy, and you could see the determination in his eyes," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I checked with him, he said he was fine, and he was up for the challenge."

Leyland said he will take advantage of Thursday's off day to give Verlander an extra day between starts.

"During the — I don't even know what inning it was, maybe the fifth or sixth — my velocity started to jump up, and I still didn't feel like I was overthrowing the ball," Verlander said. "I found a rhythm and had my mechanics and the ball was coming out live."

Josh Beckett (4-2) took his first loss since April 5 — his first start of the season. Beckett gave up two runs on five hits and a season-high five walks in six innings.

"Beckett's stuff was up in the first inning, and he gave up a couple runs," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "After that, Verlander never gave us a chance. He's one of the best in baseball. We made him work, but the higher he got into the pitch count, the harder he threw."

Valverde pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save, finishing a 10-hour day that included a 50-minute rain delay before the second game.

Ortiz's game-winning homer in the opener was his first pinch-hit home run in eight years.

"I don't like pinch hitting too much, but I did just what I do as a DH," Ortiz said. "I went to the cages, took some swings and got loose."

Rays 7, Indians 0

In St. Petersburg, Florida, Jeremy Hellickson pitched seven impressive innings, John Jaso homered, and Tampa Bay beat Cleveland.

Athletics 6, Orioles 4

In Oakland, Josh Willingham hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the fifth inning, Daric Barton added an insurance run in the sixth and the A's beat Baltimore to complete its first three-game sweep this season.

Angels 6, Twins 5

In Minneapolis, Erick Aybar had three hits and three RBIs and Dan Haren earned his first win since April 17 in Los Angeles' victory over Minnesota.

Rangers 7, Royals 6

In Arlington, Texas, Mike Napoli slid under the tag of catcher Brayan Pena on Elvis Andrus' two-out single in the ninth inning, giving Texas a come-from-behind victory over Kansas City.

Yankees 7, Mariners 1

In Seattle, CC Sabathia allowed one run in eight innings and Andruw Jones lined a bases-clearing double to highlight the Yankees' five-run third inning.

Ichiro Suzuki was hitless in four at-bats for the Mariners.

Blue Jays 13, White Sox 4

In Toronto, Aaron Hill hit his first career grand slam, Corey Patterson added a two-run shot and the Blue Jays routed Chicago.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Mets 9, Phillies 5

In New York, Jose Reyes tripled twice for the third time this season and a refreshed Josh Thole had three hits and three RBIs as the Mets enjoyed a rare offensive outburst.

Brewers 6, Giants 0

In Milwaukee, Yovani Gallardo allowed four hits in eight innings to win his fifth straight start.

Padres 5, Nationals 4

In Washington, Ryan Ludwick had three hits and two RBIs, including a go-ahead infield single in the ninth inning.

Diamondbacks 4, Astros 2

In Houston, Xavier Nady hit a two-run double in the eighth inning, helping Arizona rally for a victory and a series sweep of Houston.

Cardinals 4, Rockies 3

In Denver, Kyle Lohse pitched six solid innings to match a major league high with his seventh win.

Dodgers 8, Marlins 0

In Los Angeles, Clayton Kershaw pitched a two-hitter for his second shutout and complete game in his career.

Cubs 3, Pirates 2

In Chicago, Aramis Ramirez ended a long home run drought, Ryan Dempster threw six solid innings and the Cubs beat Pittsburgh in a game delayed by rain at the start.

Kosuke Fukudome was 2-for-4 for Chicago.

Braves 2, Reds 1

In Atlanta, Jair Jurrjens (7-1) outpitched Johnny Cueto (2-2) and Martin Prado hit a two-run homer to help the Braves beat Cincinnati.

View the original article here