Detroit Tigers 3, Tampa Bay Rays 2: No offense, no problem

The Tigers didn’t get the offensive outburst of the past few days, but rode a typically a strong start from Justin Verlander to win their third game in as many days against the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-2.

Detroit’s win streak has now reached five games.

The Tigers managed to score 10 runs in each of their past three games and 37 total in the past four, but Rays rookie start Blake Snell limited the damage to three runs despite allowing four walks and four hits in less than six innings of action.

Detroit’s first run came in the second, when Jose Iglesias singled in Jarrod Saltalamacchia. After allowing the Rays to tie it up in the fourth, Ian Kinsler hit a solo home run to left field in the top of the fifth to make it a 2-1 game.

What would be the deciding run came in the sixth. Justin Upton doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He scored on a sac fly by Saltalamacchia for a 3-1 lead at the time.

Verlander bounced back from a rather dismal performance five days prior in which he gave up eight runs. He allowed just a pair of runs to the Rays, both on sac flies. The first run came after Verlander bounced a pickoff attempt to first base, allowing Logan Forsythe to scamper all the way to third.

Verlander struck out eight for the day and allowed four hits and a walk.

Roars

Justin Verlander — Struck out eight while allowing just two runs in seven innings of work.

Ian Kinsler — Hit a solo home run to left.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia — Along with Kinsler, Saltalamacchia was one of three Tigers’ players to reach base safely twice. He singled and walked. He also scored a run and drove in the game-winner with a sac.

Hisses

Baserunning, I guess? — Cameron Maybin and Mike Aviles were both caught stealing.

Stats and info

• Ian Kinsler’s solo home run in the fifth inning was the 199th of his career.
• Miguel Cabrera had the day off. Jarrod Saltalamacchia played first in his stead.
• Francisco Rodriguez earned his 23rd save of the season with a 1-2-3 inning.
• Hey, the Indians finally lost! Detroit’s tied for second in the AL Central, 6.5 games out.

Win Probability Chart