Pro Sports

Verlander reaches K milestone, helps Tigers beat Twins 6-3

Posted May 18, 2016 7:00 am

By LARRY LAGE

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander throws against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) The Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) - Justin Verlander struck out 10 batters, including the 2,000th of his career, to help the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 6-3 on Wednesday.

The Tigers have won four straight, equaling a season high, after losing 11 of 12 games.

Verlander (3-4) allowed six hits and three runs over 7 1/3 innings while matching his season high in strikeouts. He joined Mickey Lolich as the two pitchers in franchise history with 2,000 career strikeouts, and became the 76th in baseball history to reach the milestone.

Ricky Nolasco (1-2) gave up nine hits and four runs over five innings.

The Twins have lost 11 of 13, dropping to 10-29 for the worst record in the majors.

Ian Kinsler went 3 for 4, hitting a solo homer in the sixth and an RBI single in the fourth. He and the Tigers took advantage of Minnesota's mistakes, which included three errors.

Kinsler led off the first with an infield single and advanced to second on an errant throw from shortstop Eduardo Nunez. He scored when J.D. Martinez followed with a single and left fielder Eddie Rosario was charged with an error, missing home plate on a throw that should've gone to second to prevent Martinez from getting to that base.

The Twins scored once in the seventh and twice in the eighth, giving them a chance to come back.

Francisco Rodriguez, though, pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 11th save in 12 chances.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Twins: IF Eduardo Escobar (strained groin) might come off the DL, which he has been on since May 7, early next week after going to Florida for extended spring training.

Tigers: RHP Shane Greene (right middle finger) is scheduled to make a rehab start for Single-A West Michigan on Friday. ... The Tigers took DH Victor Martinez out of the lineup to give him an extra day to rest.

UP NEXT

Twins: Minnesota sends Ervin Santana (2-1) to the mound at home Thursday against Toronto's Marco Estrada (1-2).

Tigers: Detroit is off Thursday before hosting Tampa Bay with Anibal Sanchez (3-4) pitching for the Tigers against Matt Andriese (2-0) on Friday night.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander throws against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) The Associated Press

Detroit Tigers' Ian Kinsler rounds third base to score on a J.D. Martinez single against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) The Associated Press

Minnesota Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco throws against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) The Associated Press

Detroit Tigers' Cameron Maybin steals second base as Minnesota Twins shortstop Eduardo Nunez applies a late tag in the second inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) The Associated Press

Detroit Tigers' J.D. Martinez hits a triple against the Minnesota Twins in the third inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) The Associated Press

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera catches a Minnesota Twins' Byung Ho Park fly ball in foul territory in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) The Associated Press

Minnesota Twins' Trevor Plouffe flips his bat after striking out against the Detroit Tigers in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) The Associated Press

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